Fatah and Hamas start their dialogue in Cairo
Palestine, Politics, 11/11/2002

An official in the Hamas movement said on the inauguration of a round of dialogue which started in Cairo on Saturday between representatives for the Fatah and Hamas movements that there is no basic differences between the two movements, noting that the difference is with the Palestinian Authority.

Officials representing the two sides met on Saturday evening at al-Iftar banquet in an unidentified place in Cairo under the patronage of Egypt.

A source close to the talks said that officials in Fatah arrived in Egypt from the Palestinian territories and officials from Hamas came from abroad. Fatah's delegation is presided provided over by member of the movement's central committee Zakaraya al-Agha while the Hamas delegation is headed by the chairman of the movement's political bureau Khaled Mashaal.

The secretary of the Palestinian National Council, Muhammad Sbeih, said that the meetings will deal with "the suicide operations in Israel and the relations between Fatah and Hamas." A source close to the Fatah delegation in the Palestinian territories said that the representatives of the movement will " clearly ask Hamas to halt the suicide operations in Israel and to stop launching al-Qassam missiles which is made in Gaza against Israel." Sbeih said that all matters are debated for dialogue and discussions during the discussions including the new ministry, the national work and the "martyrdom operations" inside Israel.

One of the Hamas leaders Abdul Aziz al- Rantesi said that there are no differences worthy to be mentioned between Hamas and Fatah, considering that the difference is only with the Palestinian Authority. He stressed that the dialogue in Cairo between the two movements does not mean reaching an understanding inside the Palestinian territories, noting Hamas' identical position inside and outside the Palestinian territories.

He indicated differences with the Palestinian Authorities on many internal issues which are of concern to the Palestinian society such as cases of arrests and chasing members of the movement and depriving them from government posts.

For his part, the founder of the Hamas movement, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin stressed that his movement's demand is "to continue martyrdom operations against the Israeli occupation." In a statement to the Egyptian daily al- Ahram issued on Saturday, Sheikh Yassin said "we do expect every thing good from the dialogue." He indicated that Hamas recognizes the Palestinian authority but rejects Oslo agreements because they did not lead to the restoration of the rights of the Palestinian people.

He stressed that resistance will continued in all forms as long as Israel continues its aggressive aggression against the Palestinians.

Previous Stories:
  Demonstrations in Brussels denouncing the Israeli acts against the Palestinians   (11/9/2002)
  Ben Ali provides new benefits for presidential candidates   (11/8/2002)
  Larsen: Quartet committee to meet in December   (11/8/2002)
  Hamas confirms Cairo meeting with PA delegation   (11/8/2002)
  Al-Watan: Inter- Palestinian efforts to halt operations against Israel   (11/7/2002)
  Hamas, Fatah to meet in Cairo next week   (11/7/2002)

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