Israelis, Syrians To Talk Peace In Eastern Maryland

A 1,000-acre conference site in rural Maryland will serve as the location for Israeli-Syrian talks next week, Secretary of State Warren Christopher said Wednesday.

Delegations from the two countries will resume their land-for-peace negotiations at the Wye Plantation, about an hour and 15 minute drive from Washington in eastern Maryland.

“I believe the environment, the location, will make it possible to intensify the talks and will create an opportunity for more progress than we’ve made up to this point,” Christopher said.

Mid-level officials for the two sides will meet for three days, take a New Year’s holiday break, then talk for three more days.

Christopher made the announcement during a year-end review of American foreign policy. He said progress between Arabs and Israelis helped make 1995 “one of the best years for U.S. foreign policy since the end of the Cold War.”