Syria plans war of attrition in the Golan Heights
Assad encouraging army officers to settle in Syrian side of disputed region
in preparation for possible confrontation. 'We have an answer in case Israel
attacks our cities,' says senior official in Damascus
Smadar Peri YNET Published: 08.02.07, 09:50 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3432836,00.html

In a secret message relayed to Jerusalem, Syria warned the Israeli
government that should it continue to reject Damascus' peace overtures, a
war of attrition may break out in the Golan Heights, according to a report
published Thursday.

Yedioth Ahronot has learned that in recent days Israel received reports of
increased Syrian presence on its side of the Golan Heights in preparation
for a possible war.

During the past year the Syrian government has encouraged its citizens to
settle in the Syrian side of the Golan Heights; Israel has recently learned
that many of those who have made the Golan their new home were officers in
active or reserve army duty who had lost their jobs following Syria's
withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005.

Should a military conflict erupt in the region, these officers are expected
to spearhead acts of attrition against Israel.

'Syria unpleasantly surprised'

For dozens of years Syrians wishing to visit the Golan Heights were required
to apply for special entry permits, but in recent months citizens have been
allowed to pass freely to the city of Quneitra and other towns in the
region.

In addition, soldiers enlisted in Syria's reserve units have been forbidden
to leave the country to ensure that they could be called up quickly in the
event of a military confrontation with Israel.

Such a confrontation would divert global attention from the international
tribunal investigating Damascus' responsibility for the murder of former
Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

"Syria has an answer in case Israel attacks its cities," a senior official
in Damascus said recently, adding the President Bashar Assad's regime was
"unpleasantly surprised" by the messages relayed by the Israeli government
in the past few days, according to which it refuses to return to the
negotiating table.

On Wednesday Assad said Syria was "determined to retrieve every grain of
land in the Golan Heights. We are stronger than we have been in the past.
Syria will not succumb to pressure or be deterred by threats."

However, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moualem stated that Syria would be
willing to take part in a US-sponsored peace conference, saying "Syria will
support and participate in any international conference for peace. The
objectives, participants and grounds for such an initiative must be made
clear.

According to a recent poll sponsored by Terror Free Tomorrow, an American
bipartisan organization that seeks to erode support for international
terrorism, 51% of Syrians favor a peace treaty with Israel if it withdraws
from the Golan Heights and recognizes Syrian sovereignty there.

AP contributed to this report