What happened with the Turkish-mediated indirect peace talks with Israel?
Most probably, they will resume. However, this will depend on Israeli politics. Syria is willing and is a partner in peace, if the Israelis want peace. What was achieved is very important. It was very clear that both sides want an end to the conflict. We made it very clear to the Israelis that if they want peace with Syria, they need to go back to the line of June 4, 1967—prior to their occupation of the Syrian Golan. The ball is in the Israelis’ court now. What was the impact of U.S. pressure? Syria was genuinely involved in a political reform process when the United States suddenly led a historically unprecedented campaign of pressure against Syria after the assassination of [Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq] Hariri. The United States jumped to accuse Syria immediately, without any proof. The U.S. tried to change the Syrian government, tried to impose sanctions on us, tried to isolate us. It was probably the most difficult juncture in Syria’s political history. Are Syrian dissenters jai
