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Clinton, Bill

Clinton and Assad Meet in Geneva for Middle East Peace Talks

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. President Bill Clinton and Syrian President Hafez Assad arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, on Saturday, preparing for a crucial three-hour meeting on Sunday, aimed at resolving key issues in the Middle East peace process. The diplomatic efforts aim to address several critical issues, including the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights, Syria's role in the region, and the country's links to Iran and terrorist groups. This meeting has the potential to restart stalled peace talks and improve U.S.-Syrian relations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The meeting between Clinton and Assad will focus on resolving the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights, which Syria has been seeking to resolve since the 1967 war.
  • Israel has 13,000 settlers on the Golan Heights and is seeking Syrian pledges for normal diplomatic relations, U.S. guarantees of security, and a slow withdrawal timetable.
  • Syria's role in Middle East drug trafficking, links to Iran and Hezbollah extremists, and support for terrorist groups are also expected to be discussed.
  • The fate of several hundred Jews living in Syria is also on the agenda.
  • The meeting presents an opportunity for Clinton to restate U.S. commitment to a comprehensive Middle East peace and to "jump-start" stalled peace talks that began in Madrid nearly two years ago.

Statistics:

  • 13,000: The number of Israeli settlers on the Golan Heights.
  • 5 years: The timeframe for a slow withdrawal from the Golan Heights as proposed by Israel.
  • 1967: The year of the war in which Israel occupied the Golan Heights.
  • 1981: The year Israel "annexed" the Golan Heights.

Sources:

  • NEWLN: ------ KEY ISSUES: -- Syria wants Isreal to withdraw from Golan Heights, which Isreal has occupied since 1967 war and 'annexed' in 1981.
  • NEWLN: NEWLN: OTHER ISSUES: -- Fate of several hundred Jews in living in Syria.
  • NEWLN: NEWLN: POSSIBLE BENEFITS: -- U.S. officials see meeting as opportunity for Clinton to establish trust with Assad.
  • NEWLN: NEWLN: OBSTACLES, STUMBLING BLOCKS : -- Isreal has 13,000 settlers on the Golan Heights.
  • NEWLN: NEWLN: TIMETABLE : -- Clinton and Assad meet from 9-noon Geneva time, and plan to hold a joint news conference at 12:30 p.m.

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