Senior government officials quoted Friday by Army Radio said they are not convinced that a proposed international peace conference in Moscow next month is a good idea.  Holding a second peace conference so quickly after the Annapolis conference could create too much pressure on both sides, leading to a breakdown in negotiations, they said.

The conference would be a continuation of the Annapolis conference, but would focus more on promoting negotiations between Israel and Syria.  Syrian President Bashar Assad has said he would be willing to negotiate if Israel agrees to give up the strategic Golan region.  Israeli officials have questioned Assad’s proclamations, pointing out that despite his calls for peace talks, his country continues to arm Hizbullah and to host Hamas training camps.