Diplomatic Quartet to Hamas: Disarm
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The Middle East peace process diplomatic Quartet is calling on the Palestinian's Hamas party to renounce violence and recognize Israel.
The militant Hamas group won 76 percent of Wednesday's legislative election in the Palestinian territory against the ruling Fatah party's 43 percent. Results were officially announced Thursday.
A statement was issued at U.N. World Headquarters in New York Thursday night after a telephone conference with representatives of the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States, citing a "fundamental contradiction."
The brief statement congratulated the Palestinians on "an electoral process that was free, fair and secure. The Quartet also calls on all parties to respect the results of the election and the outcome of the Palestinian constitutional process so that it may unfold in an atmosphere of calm and security.
The Palestinian people have voted for change, but it is the view of the Quartet that their aspirations for peace and statehood, as articulated by President (Mahmoud) Abbas in his statement following the closing of polls yesterday (Wednesday), remain unchanged," the statement said.
"The Quartet reiterates its view that there is a fundamental contradiction between armed group and militia activities and the building of a democratic state," the statement said. "A two-state solution to the conflict requires all participants in the democratic process to renounce violence and terror, accept Israel's right to exist, and disarm, as outlined in the Roadmap" to peace which calls for an Israel and a Palestinian site living side by side in peace.
While Hamas might be known outside the territory through violence it is well known within for social services and a more disciplined organization than the ousted Fatah party of the late longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arrafat.
The militant Hamas group won 76 percent of Wednesday's legislative election in the Palestinian territory against the ruling Fatah party's 43 percent. Results were officially announced Thursday.
A statement was issued at U.N. World Headquarters in New York Thursday night after a telephone conference with representatives of the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States, citing a "fundamental contradiction."
The brief statement congratulated the Palestinians on "an electoral process that was free, fair and secure. The Quartet also calls on all parties to respect the results of the election and the outcome of the Palestinian constitutional process so that it may unfold in an atmosphere of calm and security.
The Palestinian people have voted for change, but it is the view of the Quartet that their aspirations for peace and statehood, as articulated by President (Mahmoud) Abbas in his statement following the closing of polls yesterday (Wednesday), remain unchanged," the statement said.
"The Quartet reiterates its view that there is a fundamental contradiction between armed group and militia activities and the building of a democratic state," the statement said. "A two-state solution to the conflict requires all participants in the democratic process to renounce violence and terror, accept Israel's right to exist, and disarm, as outlined in the Roadmap" to peace which calls for an Israel and a Palestinian site living side by side in peace.
While Hamas might be known outside the territory through violence it is well known within for social services and a more disciplined organization than the ousted Fatah party of the late longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arrafat.
posted by Marko at 1/27/2006 06:55:00 AM
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