 |
 |
 |
|
|
PA titular head Mahmoud Abbas (AP file)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By israelinsider staff and partners September 15, 2006 |
|
| |
European diplomats visiting the West Bank held out hope to the Palestinians that formation of a new government including moderates alongside the militant Islamic Hamas could bring an end to crippling economic sanctions.
With the United States taking a tough line toward the emerging coalition, Palestinians hope Europe will be the first to cancel the cutoff of foreign aid that has led to widespread hardships. Diplomats who met with President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday indicated that could happen.
After meeting Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy indicated formation of such a government could lead to resumption of assistance. He welcomed a document which supposedly "implicitly" recognizes Israel, which is to serve as the basis for the coalition, although analysis of the document reveals no such recognition and instead calls for condtions that would lead to destruction of the Jewish State.
Hamas leaders have repeated their position in recent days rejecting the possibility of recognition of Israel.
Douste-Blazy said if the new government accepts international demands, "the international community should re-evaluate and revisit its position toward political contacts and aid."
The French minister added, "It is obvious that we remain attached to the three principles of the Quartet" of Mideast peace mediators -- recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and acceptance of previous peace accords."
Abbas also received a boost Thursday from Luxembourg's foreign minister, Jean Asselborn.
"Israel has all the interest to support this initiative and the Americans have all the interest to support it, but first, it is the responsibility of the European Union," Asselborn said after meeting with Abbas. The visitor said he will do everything he can do to support the Palestinians at a meeting of EU ministers in Austria on Friday.
The "Quartet" -- the U.S., EU, Russia and the United Nations -- is expected to discuss the Middle East at a meeting in New York next week. The Quartet so far has given no indication that it will ease its demands of the Palestinians.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas lashed out at the U.S., charging it is trying to undermine formation of a government teaming Hamas with Fatah, led by Abbas, which Hamas trounced in January parliamentary elections.
"The U.S. administration does not want the Palestinians to be unified. It puts obstacles in the way of this political coming together," Haniyeh told reporters. "It wants to extort the Palestinian people and the Palestinian government."
Haniyeh spoke a day after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the new Palestinian government would have to accept international demands to renounce violence and recognize Israel.
While refusing to give up its calls for Israel's destruction, Hamas has said that will support Abbas' efforts to seek peace.
Abbas added conditions to the timetable late Thursday. He said that before formation of a new government, the issue of an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas-linked militants in June, as well as Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, must be resolved. Also, he said, there must be "complete calm in the Palestinian territories."
Haniyeh urged Europe to break with the United States. "We expect from the international community, and especially the European Union, to be more balanced and fairer in dealing with the Palestinians," he said.
But in Brussels, EU officials said it was unlikely any major policy changes will take place until the new Palestinian government is formed.
The AP contributed to this report.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
