UN chief calls for giving Hamas its opportunity
Palestine-Israel-UN, Politics, 2/10/2006

The Russian foreign ministry eased down what is rumored about Moscow's plit from the partners in the so-called Quartet group. It said that the talks will be built on what was basically agreed upon by the committee in January and will send to Hamas clear signals that it has to take "responsible decisions."

The Russian news agency Itar-Tass quoted Alexander Kalojin, the special Russian envoy to the Middle East, as saying commenting on Putin's statements that Russia hopes that Hamas will be up to the "level of international demands and its attraction to the dialogue with Israel."

Kalogin said that Moscow will insist that Hamas has to admit Israel's right to existence, considering that without that, it will be difficult to arrange any dialogue with it.

The Russian president made another surprise during his visit to Spain when he said he intends to invite Hamas leaders to discuss the future of the peace process in the Middle East. A matter which raised Israel's regret.

Putin, whose country is taking part in the Quartet committee which is responsible for peace in the Middle East stressed that Hamas reached the authority after democratic elections "and the choice of the Palestinian people should be honored."

Worthy mentioning that Russia, which does not classify Hamas as among terrorist organizations as the US, the EU and Israel do, had taken a separate track when it welcomed Hamas's winning of "transparent and honest elections."

For his part, the Spanish prime minister Jose Thabatero said that his country considers "president Putin will play a decisive role in the dialogue for peace in the Middle East." He added that Spain will support "individual initiatives which will be carried out by Putin in order to re-establish the peace process in the context of criterion set by the International community."

Meantime, the UN secretary general Kofi Annan called for providing Hamas the needed time and opportunity to change its attitude before assessing its being a partner in the ME peace process. He said it is very early to judge Hamas, noting that the movement has not formed its government so far. He also called on Hamas to be transformed into a political party.

Previous Stories:
  On the Israeli settlements   (2/8/2006)
  Church of England to divest companies profiting from Israel's occupation of Palestinians   (2/7/2006)
  US, EU diplomats meet with so-called terrorists   (2/7/2006)
  Annan urges Palestinians to vote in upcoming elections   (1/21/2006)
  Palestinian group promotes their cause using dance   (12/2/2005)
  UN panel on Palestinian Rights marks 30th anniversary but sees failure of peace efforts   (11/11/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search