By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that Syria must choose between the “axis of evil” or peace with Israel.
Speaking in Jerusalem Tuesday, Olmert vowed to continue with Israeli-Syrian peace talks with Turkish mediation as long as he remained in his post.
He said Israeli and Syrian negotiators were now conducting indirect talks in Turkey, adding that the process would eventually reach a point where Syria has to choose “between the Iranian grip, partnership in the axis of evil and international isolation, or peace, economic prosperity and a place among the family of nations.”
Olmert noted that he had favoured peace negotiations with Syria as soon as he took over as Israeli premier.
Turkish diplomats are mediating between Israeli and Syrian delegations in their fourth round of talks. No results have been disclosed.
Syria and Israel have a history as bitter enemies. Israel captured the strategic Golan Heights from Syria in 1967, and Syria demands return of the territory as a condition for peace.
The last round of formal peace negotiations broke down in 2000 with the two sides close to agreeing on a border but still at odds on a small strip of territory and conditions of peace.