Western diplomats told the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV that Syrian President Bashar al Assad sent Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert a letter, calling for the renewal of the negotiations between the two countries.
The diplomats added that in the letter, which was sent via senior German officials, Assad offered to resume peace talks with no preconditions or a timetable.
According to the report, the letter features a number of clauses that are directed at placating the international community: Syrian agreement on the establishment of an international tribunal to try those suspected of involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on condition that the court will not be authorized to summon senior Syrian officials and army commanders; Syria’s readiness to discuss the future of the Golan Heights with no preconditions; Syria’s intent to act toward stabilizing its border with Iraq; act against Hamas leaders residing outside the Gaza Strip in order to limit their influence on the group’s leaders in Gaza and prevent arms shipments to Hizbullah in Lebanon through Syria.
Olmert's office on Tuesday denied recieving any message from the Syrian president.
Al-Assad himself arrived in Moscow Monday night on a two-day work visit to Russia. Al-Assad was scheduled to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin.
