MIDDLE EAST: PRICE OF ISRAELI/SYRIAN PEACE

(12 Jan 2000) Voice and effects Voiced By: Robert Ovadia SUGGESTED INTRO: Members of the powerful United States Senate Appropriations Committee have balked at suggestions Israel's price for peace with Syria could be as high as (US) 30-billion (b) dollars. A delegation is visiting the Jewish State, which hopes the U-S will pick up some of the tab. Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak spoke with the Americans in Tel Aviv on Wednesday as peace with Syria inched closer, with talks wrapping up in West Virginia. VOICE-OVER: 0.00 In the shadow of a huge spy station just 500 metres from the demarcation line with Syria, Israeli troops practise two snowstorm manoeuvres - search and rescue and search and kill. 0.14 Israel's alpine unit was set up to contain a surprise Syrian attack. It captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war, but waited until 1973 - when Syria and Egypt launched twin surprise attacks - to establish a unit specifically designed for winter fighting. 0.30 But the prospect of renewed fighting is something Prime Minister Ehud Barak promises to eliminate. 0.37 SOUNDBITE: (English) "The Middle East really needs peace. There have been enough wars in this area. Even though I have some doubts about to give back the Hermon mountain." SUPER CAPTION: Stefan, Swedish-born Officer, training Israel's Alpine Unit 0.47 Israelis vacationing on the nearby slopes are equally unsure about handing over the mountain to Syria - relinquishing the strategic early-warning advantages of a plateau overlooking Damascus. 0.58 VOXPOP: (English) "It is too risky because it's high and they can throw bombs on us and everything." SUPER CAPTION: Keren, Skier 1.06 But in the Israeli capital, Prime Minister Ehud Barak appeared determined peace would be achieved, as he welcomed five members of the U-S Senate Appropriations Committee. 1.15 SOUNDBITE: (English) "I would like to tell you how glad are we to have you here with us." SUPER CAPTION: Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister 1.23 Most of the delegation are believed to have sympathies with Israel - they're here to establish what peace costs. 1.29 To hand back the Golan Heights, Israel must recompense those citizens who have already settled in the area, after already subsidising the initial move. 1.38 Although a figure of 30-billion dollars has been suggested, Appropriations says the United States will not be providing a blank cheque. VISION ENDS: 1:46 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...