Home>News Center>World
         
 

Olmert: Russia-Hamas talks harm effort to isolate group
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-07 08:50

Russia's talks with Hamas leaders in Moscow have harmed world efforts to isolate the militant group that is setting up a new Palestinian government, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.

Olmert said it was a "mistake" to invite Hamas leaders for talks before the group changes its policies and accepts the basic international demands of recognition of Israel and renunciation of violence.

Despite Israel's objections to the invitation, Hamas leaders were in Moscow over the weekend for talks. They met the Russian foreign minister, but Putin did not agree to see them.

According to a statement from Olmert's office, the two leaders talked on the telephone for 40 minutes. Putin called to fill Olmert in on the talks, the statement said.

Putin said Russia's policy is to negotiate with all side and press demands. He said negotiations are always held when the other side has difficult and dangerous positions.

The statement said Olmert disagreed strongly. "Russian contacts with Hamas simply discourage Hamas from making the changes demanded by the international community," he said, according to the statement.

Olmert also said that once Hamas forms its government, it will no longer be possible to differentiate between the Hamas government and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the head of Fatah, who was elected separately and remains in power.

Last week Olmert differed with a view expressed by Foreign minister Tzipi Livni, who said that the Hamas election victory renders Abbas "not relevant.?

However, Israel has already cut off transfers of funds to the PA.




Indunesian muslims protest against US
International Motor Show in Geneva
Attacks kill 68 in Baghdad
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Five-year plan addresses pressing problems

 

   
 

Farmers want a 'land-leasing policy'

 

   
 

China to fill strategic oil reserve in '06

 

   
 

Co-ordination vital to curb human pandemic

 

   
 

Prosecutor: Moussaoui's lies led to 9/11

 

   
 

US dismisses talk of compromise on Iran

 

   
  Palestinians vote to strip Abbas of powers
   
  Iraq to call new parliament into session
   
  IAEA optimistic on Iran nuke program deal
   
  Bush returns to battle on the home front
   
  Iran isues warning ahead of IAEA meeting
   
  US, S. Korean envoys discuss N. Korea
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement