If they say it isn't true, then it must be!

Ynet reported today on Syrian denials that the reason for the Israeli Air Force's recent "visit" to Syrian airspace was a joint Syrian-North Korean effort to help the Assad regime acquire nuclear technology.

Coming from the Syrian government, a denial this strong is practically an admission that they were caught red-handed.

The only problem I see is the fall-out in Israel from the raid, assuming that's what happened. Ynet also reports that Ehud Olmert's popularity has risen as a result. This is the most dangerous possible outcome for the country. If a single secret mission that sends the Arabs into a tizzy is all you have to do to convince the populace you're a great guy after spending the previous 2-3 years showing that you're incompetent, Israel's electorate is in great trouble.

However, I will note with approval Olmert's current approach to Syria: openly declaring a non-conditional interest in resuming peace talks. It's about time Israel learned what Nicolae Ceausescu, the dictator of Romania in the 1970's taught Yassir Arafat, y'sh, about peace negotiations. As documented in a book by the former head of Ceausescu's secret service who defected to the West, the dicatotor told Arafat to proclaim that the PLO was interested in peace. "The world won't care if you still try to blow Israelis up," he explained. "Once you say you want peace, the pressure will be put on Israel to give you anything you want."

Oslo in a nutshell, eh?

At least Olmert seems to have learned. Unless, of course, he's serious in which case we're all in bigger trouble. I say we push things forward, though and as a token of good faith, Israel should send Shimon Peres to Damscus to make high level contacts. Maybe they can drop him off during the next secret overflight.