Moussa Abu Marzouk, heading Hamas delegation
Photo: AP
PA's Abbas, easily pressured?
Photo: AP
Hamas wants to delay Fatah talks
Hamas representatives in Cairo plan to request Egyptians postpone inter-Palestinian reconciliation talks with Fatah 'that gave up on Goldstone Report following pressure from Israel, US' saying it could also be pressured during talks for permanent settlement
A Hamas delegation headed by deputy politburo Moussa Abu Marzouk arrived in Cairo on Saturday to meet with Egyptian representatives to discus the organization's request to postpone reconciliation talks with rival Palestinian faction Fatah following the Goldstone storm.
Hamas objects to the Palestinian Authority's decision not to push for a UN discussion of the Goldstone Report which accused Israel of war crimes during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. A vote on the report was consequently delayed by the UN body.
Hamas plans to stress to the Egyptian leadership that in light of the current situation in the Palestinian and Arab public, they cannot meet with Fatah representatives.
The Egyptians will try to persuade Hamas to forgo their demand, but it is believed that the talks will be delayed to a later date, most likely next month.
A Hamas source said, "The PA, which gave up on the Goldstone Report following pressure from Israel and the United State, can also be pressured by them following the signing of a reconciliation agreement."
The source added, "The PA can be pressured in matters related to a permanent settlement."
Meanwhile, Fatah has accused Hamas of using the Goldstone crisis to evade reaching a reconciliation agreement.
On Friday, the Palestinian Authority announced that its ambassador to the UN body would push for an urgent Human Rights Council meeting to debate the controversial report.
PA sources believe the efforts will be fruitful, and that the UN will review the report.
On Thursday the UN Security Council rejected Libya's appeal to hold a special debate on the Goldstone report. However the issue is expected to come up on Wednesday as part of a general Middle East debate held regularly by the council.
