Ha'aretz (Sunday): Israel: Syria must stop terror aid before talks

[Jack Rabbit]

From Ha'aretz (Jerusalem)
Dated Sunday January 11

Israel: Syria must stop terror aid before talks
By Aluf Benn, Yoav Stern, Nathan Guttman

Israel is conditioning renewed talks with Syria on its halting all support for Palestinian terror groups, senior Israeli officials indicated yesterday. Defense establishment officials believe halting Syrian aid to Palestinian terror groups is the top priority - in fact an even higher priority than ending Syria's backing for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to evaluations intelligence officials last week submitted to the political leadership, the Syrian authorities today forbid members of militant Palestinian organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad from visible activities in Damascus, such as holding news conferences.
However, their activities in the field continue as usual. Intelligence also believes Syrian-supported Hezbollah activity among Palestinians has stepped up.
"We continue to track what Assad is saying and also, more importantly, what he does," an official in Prime Minister Sharon's office said this weekend. "As things stand now, since Assad is doing the opposite of what he is saying, it does not appear the time has come. Should his behavior change, there will be readiness to talk on our part."

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[GabysPoppy]

1. Seems like a logical request to make

"We continue to track what Assad is saying and also, more importantly, what he does," an official in Prime Minister Sharon's office said this weekend. "As things stand now, since Assad is doing the opposite of what he is saying, it does not appear the time has come. Should his behavior change, there will be readiness to talk on our part."