Syria dismisses Israeli invitation as “maneuver”

By: Sultan Ahmed

DAMASCUS, Syria: Damascus on Monday turned down as a PR ploy an Israeli invitation to President Bashar Al-Assad to visit Held Jerusalem for peace talks, saying only a resumption of previous dialogue would achieve peace.

In a Radio interview Monday, Israeli President Moshe Katsav invited his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad to visit Held Jerusalem for negotiations with Israeli leaders.

“I invite the president of Syria to come to (Held) Jerusalem and meet with the heads of the state and hold serious negotiations,” Katsav said.

The invitation came a day after Israeli Premier Sharon said he was ready for peace talks with Syria only if Damascus halts support for terrorists.

Syria said the invitation was not a serious response to Damascus's recent calls to resume peace talks that broke down in 2000.

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