American Congressman Tom Lantos (D-California) delivered a message from Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Asad to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday, indicating that he is prepared to talk “about all the controversial issues regarding Syria’s relations with Israel.” Experts are now debating whether the communication is a message of peace from Israel’s sworn enemy or a means by which to divert newfound pressure from the United States.
Israeli political sources quoted in Tuesday’s Ma’ariv newspaper caution to be skeptical. In an exclusive interview with The Media Line, Dr. Eyal Zisser, an expert on Syria at the Dayan Institute, explains: “Al-Asad is constantly stating that he is prepared to meet with Sharon, but he always stipulates it. The message from Lantos is not to be considered a major breakthrough. Al-Asad may understand that the situation has changed and he should be more compromising in his demands, but it is still no dramatic step.”
The Media Line asked Dr. Zisser to explain how Israel should relate to the President’s message as delivered by the American Congressman?
According to Zisser, “Very carefully. The message was delivered by an American congressman via a translator, and therefore it’s not certain whether this was the real message conveyed to him, or if he heard what he wanted to hear. I have many doubts regarding the message. If this was what he [Al-Asad] really said, it’s a significant change, because up until today the Syrian stand has asserted no negotiations with Israel until Israel commits itself in advance to certain conditions, first and foremost returning the Golan Heights. Moreover, the Syrian stand has been that if negotiations do take place, they won’t be carried out by meetings between leaders. It is probable that the congressman understood what he wanted to understand. It is also likely that Al-Asad is so afraid of the Americans that he is willing to take on a new attitude.”
Israeli leaders have traditionally been hesitant to take messages received from hostile Arab leaders at face value. Some suggest that “messages of peace” sent by Egyptian President Anwar A-Sadat long before the breakthrough that led to Camp David went unheeded. More recently, Israeli leaders have been accused of ignoring messages related to the Saudi peace plan. Does Zisser believe that it would be wise to take Al-Asad’s message more seriously than Israel’s current political officials?
“Yes. When an Arab leader says he wants to talk, we should agree. This is how Israel can reveal if it’s a maneuver or not.”
How then should Israel respond to this message?
“Israel should invite Al-Asad to Jerusalem or propose to meet with him in Damascus. That is how Israel will be able to discover if it is a bluff or not.”
Could Al-Asad’s young age, and his being of a new generation of Arab leaders, suggest a chance of a future peace with Syria?
“Yes. On the other hand, his being young could actually work against him because he’s inexperienced and still has problems seizing full control in Syria.”
Is it possible that Israel is waiting to see how the U.S. will operate in Syria, and is therefore responding coldly to the Syrian message?
“It is also possible that the Americans will deal with Al-Asad and undermine him, handing a weaker and more compromising Al-Asad to Israel.”
Whether the message is genuine or not, a few articles regarding Israel, published in Tuesday’s edition of the popular Syrian daily A-Thawra, give an indication of the general mood in Syria. The articles discussed the following topics: The struggle in Nablus and Jenin; Israel’s desire to stop the Intifada; that the American accusations against Syria serve Israel’s interests; and about Israeli air force attacks in Lebanon.