For a Syrian-Israeli Peace, Urgently

By Jacques Cheminade

PARIS, Sept. 28--In view of the war threat in Southwest Asia, it is essential to create, without further delay, a lever for peace through mutual economic cooperation throughout the region. Negotiations in this direction must start immediately between Israel and Syria, adopting the approach proposed by Shimon Peres.

The aim of these negotiations must be an agreement on water and energy between the two countries, with nuclear power to be used for the production of electricity and water desalination.

Lyndon LaRouche proposed this approach more than 30 years ago, in the form of an Oasis Plan for mutual economic cooperation, and he is renewing it today. Shimon Peres had proposed then, for his part, a peace plan based on an economic community of interest. President Eisenhower had elaborated as well his "Atoms for Peace" policy. Also, it should be underlined that Nicolas Sarkozy, by offering Libya a nuclear power station for water desalination, has followed a similar approach.

Therefore, I support Shimon Peres and all those in Israel who want to avoid the otherwise-fated conflict. The agreement must be an agreement of principle, without going into too many details. Because there is urgency to stop the ongoing rush towards a regional conflict, and to create on the contrary, a climate favorable to peace through mutual economic cooperation throughout the region.