[Andria Hall, Cnn Anchor:] We begin in Israel, where the cabinet voted unanimously Sunday to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon. Under the plan, Israel would pull out by July, ending nearly two decades of Israeli military presence in the volatile border region. In a statement, the cabinet said, "Israel would prefer to have a peace agreement with Syria before bringing the troops home from Lebanon." But the statement says the withdrawal could take place regardless of whether there is such a deal. Lebanon is welcoming the withdrawal, but is expressing concern the plan may simply be a ploy. We get more reaction now from CNN Beirut bureau chief Brent Sadler.
[Brent Sadler, Cnn Correspondent:] Even as Israel announced the decision to withdraw its troops from South Lebanon within five months, war with the Hezbollah-led Lebanese resistance continued unabated: retaliatory Israeli air raids and artillery bombardments. After decades of occupation in one form or another in Lebanon, Israel, it seems, is ready to cut its loses and retreat to the international border, irrespective of a hoped-for peace with Syria and Lebanon.
[Salim El-hoss, Prime Minister Of Lebanon:] I hope it's genuine and not just a ploy, because we have a long experience with Israeli ploys.
[Sadler:] What hope of completing three-way IsraeliSyrianLebanese peace before any withdrawal?
[El-hoss:] Well, frankly, I'm not very optimistic of the prospects. Time is running short. There is a risk that the whole process might be put off until after the presidential elections in the USA, and in the interim, God knows what will happen affecting the peace prospects.
[Sadler:] The Lebanese themselves are skeptical about the Israeli decision and doubt there'll be no strings attached.
[Unidentified Male:] They will ask for many things before they leave, but we want them to leave without any requests, just to leave.
[Unidentified Female:] They could pressure Syria during this time to have to reactivate the negotiations in the States. But again, you can never tell: They are full of surprises.
[Sadler:] At face value, an Israeli pullout from the south should satisfy the Lebanese. But Arab diplomatic sources suspect the timing of the Israeli decision may be an attempt to put pressure on both Syria and Lebanon into acceptance of a peace deal before July. [voice-over]: If so, Syria previously warned, it won't work, and that any go-it-alone Israeli troop withdrawal from South Lebanon could make efforts to find peace even more complicated than they already are. Brent Sadler, CNN, Beirut.
[Hall:] For more insight into Israel's decision and the possible reasons for it, at least at this point in time, we are joined by Mark Perry in Washington. He's the editor of "The Middle East Review" and author of "A Fire in Zion." It's a book about the Middle East peace process. Mr. Perry, thanks for joining us.
[Mark Perry, Editor, "middle East Review":] My pleasure.
[Hall:] Some diplomats would view this announcement as an olive branch extended by Israel, perhaps with the end result jump starting peace talks. How do you see it?
[Perry:] I think that Israel feels it's a necessity. Prime Minister Barak said during his election campaign and soon after being elected that he would withdraw Israeli troops from South Lebanon. And in fact, Israel has had not much success there in the last 10 years in ensuring the security of the northern border. I I just don't see this as a political ploy.
[Hall:] Well, some you mentioned security, and some Israeli politicians have publicly said that they are concerned about the security of that northern border without an agreement with Syria. You don't see that being the case?
[Perry:] I think that it's clear that the Lebanese army and the Lebanese state has to take control of the Hezbollah militias in South Lebanon in order for there to be a complete peace. But Israel has not gained much security by being in South Lebanon, and it's really gained the criticism of the international community. Just over the last four weeks alone, fighting has increased in southern Lebanon and there's been real loss of life throughout the country, and including Israeli military.
[Hall:] What do you believe are Syria's biggest concerns right now, especially in light of this announcement?
[Perry:] Well, I think that this is not a surprise to Syria. Mr. Barak has made his views known. The Syrians would like to see the peace process between Syria and Israel accelerated, but there is some evidence that that is happening. This really takes a card off the table for the Israelis. They don't have to negotiate over Lebanon if they withdraw from it.
[Hall:] That's true. Israel does say, however, that it's first preference is to carry to pull out the troops with an agreement in place. How much closer does this announcement bring all parties to that possibility?
[Perry:] Well in spite of Mr. Assad's criticism of Israel for prospectively doing this or planning to do this, I think it actually brings a negotiated settlement that much closer. We know and the rumors are rife here in Washington that President Clinton over the last three weeks has taken a very forward role in bringing the Syrians and the Israelis back to the peace table. And we may be a lot closer now in the next three or four months to a peace deal than we've ever been before.
[Hall:] So perhaps this olive branch may be received?
[Perry:] It may be.
[Hall:] Mark Perry, author of "A Fire in Zion" and editor of I want to make sure I get that in there. You may as well say it.
[Perry:] "The Middle East Review."
[Hall:] "The Middle East Review." Thank you very much for joining us.
[Perry:] My pleasure.
[Hall:] OK, appreciate that insight.