The office of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed several minutes ago that Israel is conducting "indirect talks" with Syria through Turkish mediators. The negotiations are being conducted at a low diplomatic level and are based on the Madrid conference in 1991.

The Bush administration, which repeatedly has said it is boycotting Syria and is not encouraging Israel to talk with the terrorist-tainted government, has asked Turkey to mediate, the London-based Arabic daily Al Hayat reported several days ago.