Bulletin de liaison et d'information - Institut kurde de Paris

Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro
de la Prensa-Basm Özeti
lers », a-t-il affinné, avant de rappeler
l'exigence syrienne d'un retrait
israélientotal du plateau du Golan.
n a également réaffinné l'opposition
de Damas à tout accordse limitant à
la seule frontière libanaise. Israël a
annoncé son intention de retirer ses
troupes de la « zone de sécurité..
occupée au Libansud au plus tard le
7 juillet
Depuisleur repriseinattendue, en
décembre 1999, les discussions
butent sur des priorités divergentes.
La Syrieprivilégieletracé de la frontière,
qui doit assurer un retour intégral
du plateau sous le contrOlesyrien,
alors qu'Israëlmet en avant les
questions liées à la sécurité et à la
normalisationpolitique.
Initialementprévus à midi,les entretiens
entre les deux présidents
avaient finalement débuté avec
trois heures de retard dans un salon
de l'Hôtel Intercontinental, placé
pour l'occasion sous étroite surveillance.
Les deux hommes s'étaient
déjà rencontrés dans le même établissementen
janvier1994et avaient
alors lancé un appel à «la paix des
braves" au Pr6che-ûrient, en "SOuhaitant
la reprise des négociations
syro-israéliennes. Agé aujourd'hui
de soixante-neuf ans, le président
Assad, dont la santé suscite à nouveau
les inquiétudes et qui ne
voyage que très rarement, se trouvait
depuis samedi après-midi à Genève,
alors que le chef de la Maison
Blanche arrivait dans la nuit, sur le
chernin du retour après'sa visite en
Asie du Sud.
Contrastant avec l'optimisme relatif
affiché par la presse syrienne à
la veille du sommet, les -responsables
américains s'étaient montrés
plus prudents, le conseiller pour la
~rrré'- rUttonale, "'Sibidy''ßerger,
mettant en garde contre l'illusion
d'un aboutissement rapide.
Pour leprésldtmtrnrnoo~ l'aspect
peut-être le plus positif de son e~cale
genevoise aura été de pouvoir
s'offrirune boite de Cohibas,cigare;
cubains de prix, théoriquement introuvables
aux Etats-Unis...
Jean-Cmw.le Bullrer
Mideast Negotiating Ball Is Now in
Assad's Court, Clinton Asserts
Reuters But Mr. C~inton sounded an opti~st~c note percent of its water, while Syria is demanding a
WASHINGTON-Withtheclocktickingon Tuesday, saYIDgthat Israel was senous about return to the pre-1967 cease-frre line, when it
Middle East peace, President Bill Clinton said rIDdingpeace. "Prime Minister Barak would like held the northeastern cerner of the lake.
Tuesday that the, ball was in President Hafez to do this as quickly as hecan," Mr. Clinton said. The area involved is only a long stone's throw
Assad's court after his failed meeting with the "And I can tell you they have made very, very but it carries enormous political symbolism for
Syrian leader in Geneva. serious efforts on all tracks." both sides.
"I went to Switzerland to meet President As- "I think we will continue to see progress, at Warworries also surfaced in the Israeli media.
sad to clarify to him what I thought the options least on the Palestinian track. And of c~urse I The daily Ha'aretz said that in the light of Mr.
were and to hear from him what his needs are, and hope we '11have some progress on the Synan one Assad's intransigence the Clinton administra-
I asked him to come back to me with what he as well, as well as in Lebanon," he said. tion was under pressu~e to endorse a unilateral
thought ought to be done," Mr. Clinton said. "So Mr. M~barak ~hoed the op~imism. "I cannot Israeli pullout and hold Syria responsible for any
the ball's in his court now and I'm going to look say that It's a fad~e," he said. "~o progress attempts to disrupt it through violence.
forward to hearing from him." between the Israehs and the Synans doesn't T-- Ii d Pl' . TAg'
Mr. Clinton spoke at a White House photo make us pessimistic:" • l.Nae 8an a estlmans to ry am
opportunity with President Hosni Mubarak of .In the Mid~le East, h~wever, ~. Cl~t~n's IsraeliandPalestiniannegotiatorswhoendeda
Egypt. fadure to revive ~e Synan~Israeh nego~latio~s week of talks at Bolling Air Force Base in
Mr. Clinton and Mr. Mubarak, an important promptedwartalkmth~SynanandIsraehmedia Washington on Tuesday will return there for
U.S. ally and intermediary in the Middle East, got on Tuesday, and Isra~h bombers pounded Leb- more negotiations on April 6, Reuters reported
together to brainstorm on ways to put peace 8Aon~o~a sec0i.1dstraight day. Tuesday, quoting a State Department spokesefforts
back on track and to discuss bilateral ,~yna s offiCial. press accus~ Mr. Barak of man, James Foley.
issues. delIberately blocking a resu~ptlon of peace talks He said that, having exchanged ideas, the two
Mr. Mubarak said he might meet with Prime, and '-\lamed of a return to Violence.
sides now better understood each other's needs.
Minister Ehud Bàrak of Israel soon after he. The Syrian newspaper Al Ba'ath said Mr.
returned home to Cairo. "The situation con. Barak "bears responsibility for the absence of
cerning the Middle East problem cannot stay as it peace opportunities and opening the region to
is now," Mr. Mubarak said. "Tremendous ef- dangerous possibilities, primarily the return to
forts are being done by the United States with the tension and escalation and re-entering the cycle
cooperation with us. ' , of blood and bitter conflict for long decades. "
Several deadlines confront negotiators seeking In southern Lebanon, Israeli planes attacked
to cement peace agreements between Israel and targets associated with Syrian-backed guerrillas
Syria, Israel and Lebanon and Israel and the on the edge of Mansouri, a village southeast of
Palestinians. They include an intended pullout by Tyre.
July of Israeli troops from south Lebanon - Israel has pledged to withdraw its troops from
where guerrillas backed by Syria and Iran are Lebanon by July, with or without a peace agreefighting
against Israeli occupation - and a Sept. ment with Syria, a main backer of the Hezbollah
13 deadline
deal.
for an Israeli-Palestinian peace guerrillas and oth~ groups fighting to end the 22-
year occupation of a zone north of the border.
Furthermore, Mr. Clinton's political influence But sources close to Mr. Assad said Syria, the
ebbs with the approach orthe end of his second main power broker in Lebanon, could not allow
term in January.
the Israelis to get out of Lebanon in peace while it
The White House has said the Clinton-Assad remained on the occupied GQlan Heights.
talks failed to narrow "significant differences" Diplomatic sources said Israel was insisting on
between Israel and Syria, making a resumption of keeping full sovereignty and control over the
talks unproductive at this point. perimeter of the Sea of Galilee, source of 40
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2000
89