November 27, 2007 (LPAC)--The issue of Israel-Syria peace talks, until recently not considered possible or on the agenda at the Annapolis meetings, was raised by EIR today at the White House press briefing, to press secretary Dana Perino.

EIR: Dana, at the meeting today, Syria was present. And although initially there were discussions that Syria would not be invited, and that if they were invited, there wouldn't be a discussion of the Golan Heights. But Prime Minister Olmert mentioned the Golan Heights in his statements. He also indicated he wanted to have peace with all the Arab nations. If the Israelis, as their indication--their ongoing discussions, back-channel discussions--would come to some agreement with Syria around a peace treaty, would the United States be supportive of that, given that Syria has been on the "axis of evil" and has been on the outs--

PERINO: Syria was invited as part of the Arab follow-up committee, which is part of the Arab peace process. They were invited; they sent their deputy foreign minister. To the extent that Israel and Syria work something out, that is something that we would look to in the future. But I think it's important--remember--and I encourage you to look at the speeches, look at how genuine these two leaders were, listen to their words. Prime Minister Olmert said, I want to have a relationship with these Arab countries, and he reached out and he hopes that they will reach out back.