U.S. wants Russia to clarify position on Hamas

[Scurrilous]

U.S. State Department says Washington to ask Moscow clarify Putin remarks that Hamas is not terror organization after Russian president tells press conference in Madrid he intends on inviting group leaders to Moscow in near future; Hamas official says group would accept invitation

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3213707,00.html

<snip>

"Washington will demand clarifications from Russia about its intention to invite leaders of Islamic group Hamas for talks in Moscow, the State Department said Thursday.
The decision comes in response to an announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday that he intends on inviting the leaders of the Palestinian terror group to Moscow, Itar-Tass news agency said.

"Russia is maintaining contacts with the Hamas organization and intends in the near future to invite the leadership of this organization to Moscow," Putin was quoted as telling a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid, where he was on a visit.

Putin reiterated that Russia does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization, and urged the global community to work with a Hamas-led Palestinian government.

"Hamas has arrived at the doors of power through legitimate elections," Putin said. "We must respect the Palestinian people and we have to look for solutions for the Palestinian people, for the international community, and also for Israel. Contacts with Hamas must continue."

[demosincebirth]

1. They are trying to make themselves look like the "good guys" because

they have their own problems with the Chechnia Muslims.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

2. One man's terrorist

is another man's hero.

[Tempest]

3. What's wrong with Hamas being invited to Russia?

Since when is it a problem for DEMOCRATICALLY elected leadership to be invited to go to another country as representatives?

[CHIMO]

4. Putin Will Invite Hamas Leaders to Moscow

MADRID -- President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he would invite Hamas leaders to Moscow, opening a crack in a wall of U.S.-led opposition to dealing with the Palestinian election winner until it recognized Israel.

Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas official, said in Gaza that leaders of the group, whose charter calls for Israel's destruction, "would be delighted" to visit if Putin tendered a formal invitation.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said in Jerusalem that there should be no talks with Hamas until it recognized the Jewish state's right to exist, "renounced terror" and accepted the Middle East peace process.

"Maintaining our contacts with Hamas, we are ready in the near future to invite the Hamas authorities to Moscow to hold talks," Putin said at a joint news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid, where he was wrapping up a two-day visit.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/02/10/011.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060204/pl_afp/germanydefenceus

[pinniped]

5. Demand?

* has said Hamas will not be recognized so why the F do they care what sovereign Russia is doing?

[Scurrilous]

6. France says backs Russia invitation of Hamas

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/681159.html

<snip>

"Dealing a new blow to Israel's effort to internationally isolate Hamas, France expressed support Friday for a Russian effort to reach out to the radical Islamic movement, but reiterated that the it must renounce violence and recognize Israel.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Denis Simonneau said Russia did not consult its international partners about its initiative. But "we believe that it is an initiative that can contribute to advancing our positions," he added.

"We share with Russia the goal of leading Hamas toward positions that would allow for the goal of two states living in peace and security to be reached," he said."

<snip>

"Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, who was attending a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Sicily on Friday, said that while Moscow is critical of Hamas' ideology just as other nations, it considers it practical to maintain contacts with the group.

"Hamas is in power, this is a fact," Ivanov said. "Sometime in the future, many leading states will start maintaining some contacts with Hamas."

[lovuian]

7. Hamas friends with Russia well thats a friend with unlimited

resources!!!