Israel, Russia clash over moves on Hamas
JERUSALEM, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Israel on Friday protested a plan by Russia to have talks in Moscow with Hamas, the Islamist militant group that swept recent Palestinian elections and whose charter calls for Israel's destruction.
But Russia stood its ground and predicted other countries would follow its lead in dealing with Hamas.
Israeli President Moshe Katsav and others said Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened peacemaking prospects if he followed through on his invitation to Hamas to visit after its victory in parliamentary elections on Jan. 25.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni warned against what she called a "slippery slope" that could lead other international powers to compromise with Hamas.
Meir Sheetrit, an Israeli cabinet minister and political ally of interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said Israel should consider recalling its ambassador to Russia in protest, and accused Putin of "stabbing Israel in the back".
Putin's surprise overture to Hamas came as a blow to Israel, which wants major powers to boycott Hamas at least until it recognised the Jewish state and renounced violence.
Israel has ruled out negotiating with the group, which masterminded more than 60 suicide bombings against Israelis since 2000 but has largely adhered to a truce declared in March.
"Any weakness... will result in a negative effect -- not only for Israel, but also for the Palestinian people and for the international community," Livni said in an interview with The New York Sun.
Katsav told Israel Radio that Putin's invitation to Hamas was liable to undermine peace prospects.
Senior Israeli officials said Russia, as a member of the Quartet of major powers trying to broker Middle East peace, had a responsibility to shun Hamas.
"It's not just a slap in the face to Israel. It's a slap in the face to Western countries," said one Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because talks with Russia were going on.
The official said the government was "waiting for an explanation" from Russia's ambassador in Israel.
But Russian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov defended Russia's offer of talks with Hamas.
"Hamas is in power, this is a fact, and secondly, it came to power as a result of free democratic elections," Ivanov told reporters at a NATO-Russia meeting in Italy.
He said Moscow was not happy with all of Hamas's policies, but predicted the West had no choice but to deal with it.
"I hazard the prediction that sooner or later certain countries, including those of the Quartet, will be favourable to contacts with Hamas," he said.
France appeared to side with Russia in the diplomatic row.
When asked about Russia's invitation to Hamas, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Denis Simonneau said: "As long as we stay within the framework of the objectives and principles that we have fixed, we think that this initiative can contribute towards advancing our position."
"We share with Russia the goal of leading Hamas towards positions that permit reaching the objective of two states living in peace and security," Simonneau said.
At a meeting in London on Jan. 30, Quartet representatives said the Palestinians risked losing international aid if Hamas did not renounce violence and recognise Israel. Hamas has rejected the demand.
In a bid to shore up international resolve, Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz will travel to Cairo on Tuesday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak and other officials.
"The rise of Hamas is not just a local problem for Israel, but a strategic threat for all states that seek peace in the middle east," a Mofaz spokeswoman said.
Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by Washington, has suggested it could be extended further if Israel gave up land it captured in the 1967 Middle East War.
Senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh has said leaders of the group "would be delighted" to visit Russia if Putin tendered a formal invitation. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul in Jerusalem, Mark John in Taormina, Sicily and Kerstin Gehmlich in Paris)
But Russia stood its ground and predicted other countries would follow its lead in dealing with Hamas.
Israeli President Moshe Katsav and others said Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened peacemaking prospects if he followed through on his invitation to Hamas to visit after its victory in parliamentary elections on Jan. 25.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni warned against what she called a "slippery slope" that could lead other international powers to compromise with Hamas.
Meir Sheetrit, an Israeli cabinet minister and political ally of interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said Israel should consider recalling its ambassador to Russia in protest, and accused Putin of "stabbing Israel in the back".
Putin's surprise overture to Hamas came as a blow to Israel, which wants major powers to boycott Hamas at least until it recognised the Jewish state and renounced violence.
Israel has ruled out negotiating with the group, which masterminded more than 60 suicide bombings against Israelis since 2000 but has largely adhered to a truce declared in March.
"Any weakness... will result in a negative effect -- not only for Israel, but also for the Palestinian people and for the international community," Livni said in an interview with The New York Sun.
Katsav told Israel Radio that Putin's invitation to Hamas was liable to undermine peace prospects.
Senior Israeli officials said Russia, as a member of the Quartet of major powers trying to broker Middle East peace, had a responsibility to shun Hamas.
"It's not just a slap in the face to Israel. It's a slap in the face to Western countries," said one Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because talks with Russia were going on.
The official said the government was "waiting for an explanation" from Russia's ambassador in Israel.
But Russian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov defended Russia's offer of talks with Hamas.
"Hamas is in power, this is a fact, and secondly, it came to power as a result of free democratic elections," Ivanov told reporters at a NATO-Russia meeting in Italy.
He said Moscow was not happy with all of Hamas's policies, but predicted the West had no choice but to deal with it.
"I hazard the prediction that sooner or later certain countries, including those of the Quartet, will be favourable to contacts with Hamas," he said.
France appeared to side with Russia in the diplomatic row.
When asked about Russia's invitation to Hamas, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Denis Simonneau said: "As long as we stay within the framework of the objectives and principles that we have fixed, we think that this initiative can contribute towards advancing our position."
"We share with Russia the goal of leading Hamas towards positions that permit reaching the objective of two states living in peace and security," Simonneau said.
At a meeting in London on Jan. 30, Quartet representatives said the Palestinians risked losing international aid if Hamas did not renounce violence and recognise Israel. Hamas has rejected the demand.
In a bid to shore up international resolve, Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz will travel to Cairo on Tuesday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak and other officials.
"The rise of Hamas is not just a local problem for Israel, but a strategic threat for all states that seek peace in the middle east," a Mofaz spokeswoman said.
Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by Washington, has suggested it could be extended further if Israel gave up land it captured in the 1967 Middle East War.
Senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh has said leaders of the group "would be delighted" to visit Russia if Putin tendered a formal invitation. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul in Jerusalem, Mark John in Taormina, Sicily and Kerstin Gehmlich in Paris)
posted by Marko at 2/10/2006 08:22:00 AM
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