Syrian military preparing for war with Israel

The Syrian military is preparing for war with Israel, Syria's President Bashar Assad told the Quwaiti newspaper Al-Anba on Oct. 8. In an interview widely quoted by Syrian news agencies, Assad said Israel could attack Syria "at any moment." "We must remain ready at all times," said Assad. "We have begun preparations within the framework of our options." Assad also said he believes Israel has abandoned the peace process. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office refused to comment on Assad's remarks. According to a security source, Israel Defense Forces troops in the Golan Heights have remained on high alert since the end of the Lebanon war. According to the source, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz instructed the forces on Oct. 5 to remain on high alert. "Assad's declarations do not change the situation," said the source. In recent months, including prior to the Lebanon war, Syria has been saying it is willing to act militarily in order to retake the Golan Heights. Since the Lebanon war, Assad has warned that Syria's patience is running out due to the lack of a viable option for regaining the heights through the peace process. At the same time, Assad has said on several occasions that he is interested in progress in the peace process with Israel. Assad further stated in the interview that roughly 80 percent of the issues dividing Israel and Syria have been resolved, leaving only "the easiest of issues [to resolve]." He reiterated his claim that negotiations would not last more than six months, and that the entire process, including the implementation of the agreement, would not last more than two years. "This is assuming that the other side, Israel, is genuine in the peace process," said Assad. Nonetheless, Assad said "sometimes the final percent puts an end to the entire process." Assad added that a new framework for the talks is needed, arguing that the traditional mediator, the United States, is too closely allied with Israel. The Syrian president also addressed calls within Israel to renew the negotiations with Damascus, calling them a "virtual peace movement emanating from internal considerations." Syrian Information Minister Muhsen Bilal also said on Oct. 7 that his country is preparing for war with Israel, but added that Syria is interested in peace. Bilal made the comments in an interview broadcast on Aljazeera. "Syria is taking into account the possibility that Israel will embark on a military adventure against Syria," said Bilal. "We are preparing for every possibility." According to Bilal, Israel intended to "crush Hezbollah" and impose its control in Lebanon, but failed to do so. "The crisis which Israel finds itself in today, following its failure in Lebanon, could lead it to attack Syria," said Bilal. "We always emphasized our lack of faith in Israeli governments, and this is especially true of the current government." "Syria is preparing for every possibility and every Israeli intention to attack it," said Bilal. "This is natural, as Israel cannot be trusted at all." Bilal added that Syria is interested in peace with Israel, saying it was Israel that was responsible for the collapse of peace talks between the two nations in the year 2000. Bilal presented the Syrian principles for peace with Israel. He said any agreement must be based on UN decisions calling for an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, southern Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and the recognition of the right of return of Palestinian refugees to Israel.