Yassin: main differences are over Oslo agreement

The mentor of the Hamas Movement, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who returned to Gaza two weeks ago after spending 8 years in Israeli prisons said that there is only one Palestinian Authority to represent the Palestinians. He clarified that when the movement called a halt to its attacks against Israel, it did not mean that it could go into negotiations with Israel.

Sheikh Yassin stated that the movement did not ask Jordan to speak for it, as the Palestinian Authority is responsible for holding such negotiations. He pointed out that in all countries there is the government and there is also the opposition. The movement supports the opposition.

He stated that Hamas Movement does not recognize the Oslo Agreement, which represents its main difference with the Palestinian Authority, as the agreement does not achieve the rights of the Palestinian people.

He stressed his prior statements that truce with Israel, through which the movement stopped its military operations against Israel exists on the condition that Israel withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza Strip completely--which includes Jerusalem. The truce was also implemented on the condition that Israel releases all its Palestinian detainees and prisoners of war and does not interfere in the affairs of the Palestinian state which will be set up. Full sovereignty over the land and complete control of the borders and the check points with the neighboring Arab countries were also among the conditions.