Big Question: IF Israel And Syria Are In Secret Peace Negotiations, Why Are Bushies Increasingly Posturing For Showdown With Syria & Iran

When I first read this - a report of secret peace negotiations between Syria and Israel - in my daily trip to Ha'aretz, one of Israel's best newspapers, I was encouraged if a tad skeptical. Israel is great for talking about peace deals but not too hot on keeping their end of the bargain. [Example: Israel agreed to get out of Lebanon if international peacekeepers moved in; as soon as peacekeepers were in place, Israel started bombing Lebanon and performing other actions designed to provoke the ire of more than the Lebanese.]

But then my brain finally kicked in and I wondered why the hell the Bush Administration is beating the drums ever louder toward a war/showdown with Syria as well as Iran if Israel and Syria are trying to work something out? I mean, Bush always uses Israel as one of the many excuses to attack mostly-Muslim nations.

Nor should these negotiations be any surprise to the Bushies. According to Ha'aretz, these talks have been going on for more than two years and now-former PM Ariel Sharon knew of them. There is really no chance the Bushies did not.

Here are the understandings Syria and Israel have supposedly reached:

• An agreement of principles will be signed between the two countries, and following the fulfillment of all commitments, a peace agreement will be signed.
• As part of the agreement on principles, Israel will withdraw from the Golan Heights to the lines of 4 June, 1967. The timetable for the withdrawal remained open: Syria demanded the pullout be carried out over a five-year period, while Israel asked for the withdrawal to be spread out over 15 years.
• At the buffer zone, along Lake Kinneret, a park will be set up for joint use by Israelis and Syrians. The park will cover a significant portion of the Golan Heights. Israelis will be free to access the park and their presence will not be dependent on Syrian approval.
• Israel will retain control over the use of the waters of the Jordan River and Lake Kinneret.
• The border area will be demilitarized along a 1:4 ratio (in terms of territory) in Israel's favor.
• According to the terms, Syria will also agree to end its support for Hezbollah and Hamas and will distance itself from Iran.
• Click for map of territorial arrangements

Thoughts? Comments?