Hamas offices expanded in Syria
Syria, Politics, 2/16/2000

Palestinian sources in Damascus told the London-based al-Hayat daily that the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, has expanded its offices at al-Yarmouk camp in Damascus, at a time when the Syrian foreign minister received on Monday the chairman of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, Khaled Mashaal. The two men discussed "current developments in the region, Middle East peace process deadlocked events because of the intransigent stances of the Israeli government."

The Palestinian sources stated that the meeting was held in the presence of members of the movement's political bureau, Imad al-Alami, Ibrahim Ghoushe and Mousa Abu Marzouk and that the Hamas delegation on Tuesday met with other high-ranking Syrian officials.

The Palestinian sources said that publishing news of the meeting on the front pages of the Syrian official dailies is a "positive indication, especially as the leadership of the movement did not ask for declaring the news of the visit." Observers linked this development to the situation of the peace process on the Syrian- Israeli track and the Israeli aggressions against Lebanon last week.

Well-informed sources told al-Hayat that al-Sharaa said in a meeting with the Arab Writers Union recently held in Damascus, "We will not push any Palestinian to leave the country unless he returns to his homeland, Palestine." This reply made by al-Sharaa came in response to rumors saying that Syria will expel the Palestinians or the ten Palestinian organizations which are opposing the Oslo agreement and the peace process.

Al-Sharaa continued that settling the question of the Palestinian refugees should be done according to UN resolution 194 which states the right of the Palestinian people to return and to compensation for those who do not want to return, adding that not basing the multilateral negotiations on this UN resolution is a "grave mistake" and reforming them needs a great effort.

Meanwhile, Hamas sources stressed it had recently made "redeployment" for its offices in Damascus. It has got a "new, bigger office" beside having the old office at al-Yarmouk camp. But the sources denied any intention in the leadership of the movement to stay in Syria. However, Hamas activity is limited to political and media aspects.

Other well-informed sources in Damascus also denied rumors on "new measures imposed on the Palestinian organizations," including decreasing the number of bodyguards and members in Syria.

The sources stressed that, "Warning was made to the leaders of certain organizations on the need to take cautious measures while traveling to outside Syria."

Previous Stories:
  Palestinian opposition in Damascus lives in undeclared tension   (1/5/2000)
  Khaled Mashaal heads to Damascus for 'private' visit   (12/17/1999)
  Hamas asked Doha to renew its mediation with Jordan   (11/29/1999)

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