Iraqis gather at a public square in downtown Baghdad

January 4, 2000
Web posted at: 9:15 p.m. EST (0215 GMT)

In this story: '73 war recalled 'These conventions don't do anyone honor' RELATED STORIES, SITES

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- While Syria and Israel struggle with peace talks half a world away, Iraqis in a public square in downtown Baghdad say they are skeptical that any Arab-Israeli peace can work.

"Israel doesn't want peace; it wants Arab land," one man said. "I heard last night on the radio Israel killed two Palestinians. That's the kind of peace they have."

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Iraqis say Arab-Israeli talks are wrong. "Israel is the enemy of Iraq and of all the Arabs," another man in the square said.

'73 war recalled

Suspicious of Israel's motives, some consider any talks with Israel a form of betrayal, especially by neighboring Syria.

"Iraq stood with all Arabs and with Syria ... in the '73 war with Israel," one man said. "If it weren't for Iraq, Syria would be totally occupied by Israelis. Now Syria is making peace with Israel. Who does something like that?"

Since Syria resumed negotiations with Israel -- officially known here as the Zionist Entity -- Iraq's government- controlled press has lashed out against "meetings to sign agreements between Arab parties on one hand and the Zionist Entity on the other."

'These conventions don't do anyone honor'

The Iraqi leadership opposes any moves toward normalization of relations with Israel, including those already signed by Egypt, the Palestinians and Jordan.

The government-controlled press in Iraq has denounced the Israeli-Syrian talks

"Whatever conventions they sign -- Sharm el Sheik, Camp David -- these conventions don't do anyone honor, and they have no value," said Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan.

At Baghdad University's School of Languages and Linguistics, some students study Hebrew. They say they do so for cultural reasons, and to better serve their country.

"How can you assist your country with Hebrew?" they are asked.

"Against the enemy ..." -- not to talk, but to fight, they answer.

Reporter James Martone contributed to this report

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