The Washington Post: Syria's Foreign Minister Says There is NO Precondition for Negotiations

(December 14, 2006) In answer to the question whether the returning of the Golan Heights was a precondition that Syria is setting for negotiations, Foreign Minister Walid Al-Mu'allem said: "There is no precondition. A constructive dialogue has to start without preconditions." In answer to a question regarding whether President Al-Assad agreed with the views he expressed in the interview, Al-Mu'allem said: "I am the foreign minister of Syria... I am expressing his ideas."

Syrian Daily Teshreen: Bashar Al-Assad Says Anyone Who Wants to Start Peace Talks from Zero Does Not Want Peace

(December 17, 2006) In an interview with the Italian daily La Reppublica, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said: "The Madrid Conference was the only basis that was appropriate for peace talks. The principle of Madrid was clear: 'land for peace.' Much was achieved in the era of the Rabin government, and anyone who wants to start from zero does not want to achieve peace, as the meaning of this is that they do not agree to things that were already concluded."