11.   But Netanyahu has said Israel must retain control of the strategic plateau.

12.   But Netanyahu said he is not bound by such pledges and the strategic plateau will remain under Israeli control.

13.   But security talks have bogged down in disagreement over demilitarization of the strategic plateau.

14.   Control of the strategic plateau is at the center of the Syrian-Israeli feud.

15.   Damascus says it will not sign a peace agreement unless it gets back all of the strategic plateau.

16.   Damascus is demanding the return of the strategic plateau in exchange for a peace agreement.

17.   Fighting intensified today around a strategic plateau near the Croatian border and Bosnian Serbs shelled the government-held city of Tuzla for a second straight day.

18.   Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said Sunday that the Golan Heights belong to Syria, in statements apparently aimed at preparing Israelis for a painful withdrawal from the strategic plateau.

19.   He also ruled out Israel setting up a security listening post on the strategic plateau inside Syria to guard against surprise attack.

20.   He says Israel should hold onto the strategic plateau.