Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday told Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babican that the issue of the occupied Golan Heights would not be addressed at the upcoming Middle East peace conference, Israeli media sources have reported.
Speaking at a behind-closed-doors meeting, Olmert is reported to have indicated to the Turkish FM that only Palestinian issues would be discussed, stating, "It would be wrong to include other issues."
While Olmert reported that he was "happy with Syria‘s invitation to the summit," he expressed reservations over the country‘s alleged role in political assassinations in Lebanon, despite the fact that such allegations are based on little more than pure speculation.
Also at the meeting, Babican is reported to have criticized the Israeli administration for reinforcing and perpetuating the split between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, arguing that such a separation should be avoided at all costs.