Israel and Syria

* Geoffrey Aronson’s interesting commentary (“Back to 1967, and Put It in Writing,” Jan. 21) is a confirmation of the fact that the Israeli government should approach any negotiations regarding any transference of administration of the Golan Heights to the Syrian dictatorship with great caution. Aronson writes that Syrian President Hafez Assad is “in no hurry.” If so, why should Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak be hurried?

While exactly what the future holds is seldom clear, the uncertainty of the current situation begs a slow approach. Consider some relevant questions and answers. How long will Assad live? Unclear. How smooth of a transition will his son enjoy? Unclear. How long will the Assad family remain in favor with the Alawite elites? Unclear. Will Syria’s Sunni majority continue to tolerate being governed by an authoritarian regime led by an Alawite minority? Unclear. Is Barak’s original idea of a unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon really so unrealistic? Unclear. If Israel and Syria reach an agreement, will a Republican-controlled Congress be liberal regarding opening the purse strings to the tune of well over $10 billion? Unclear!

President Clinton’s desire to cap off his presidency with a foreign policy “triumph” is understandable. Israel has more important long-term considerations if it wants to achieve true security and true peace.

MICHAEL A. KASHDAN

Huntington Beach