Channels

Photo: Reuters
Rice: U.S. stance has not changed
Photo: Reuters

Rice: PA will eventually disarm Hamas

U.S. Secretary of State says during visit to Princeton University that the U.S. Administration has maintained its view of Hamas as a terror group

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denied Friday a report that the U.S. Administration has softened its stance towards Hamas.

 

We must allow the Palestinian national politics space, eventually they will disarm the terror groups, she said, during a visit to Princeton University.

 

Rice also explained why the U.S. Administration did not place immediate pressure on the Palestinian Authority to disarm the groups, following PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' appointment as leader.

 

During a transitional period participants must be given time, and in this case it’s the Palestinians, she said, adding that a national agreement is a start.

 

It has not crossed my mind that eventually a national agreement will include the armed resistance groups within the political arena, she said.

 

"It is not possible to maintain a political option, as well as an option of violence. There cannot be a situation whereby the international community will allow for this," she said.

 

Rice: Our opinion of Hamas in clear 

 

Rice reiterated the traditional American stance regarding Hamas, saying that it is a terror group which must be disarmed in order to advance peace and security in the Middle East, and the proper functioning of the PA.

 

She also mentioned the PA's obligations according to the road map peace plan to disarm the terror organizations and armed resistance groups.

 

Our opinion of Hamas is clear, she said. 

 

"Hamas supports a one-state solution, thus supporting the annihilation of Israel," Rice explained, adding that Hamas is an organization which requests parents to sacrifice their children to carryout suicide attacks, causing severe damage and hindrance to promoting peace in the Middle East. 

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.01.05, 09:31
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment