Report: Hamas ministers met with US, EU officials

Palestinian source says ministers of Hamas-led government met with senior political officials in Europe, who showed their understanding for organization's stance. In US, Hamas representatives meet with senior members of Democratic Party

Ali Waked|Published: 12.07.06 , 01:49

The Palestinian news agency Maan, quoting a senior member of the Palestinian government, reported Wednesday that "ministers of the Hamas-led government recently held talks with European countries and with a delegation of the American Democratic Party.

According to the source, in the talks, the European officials showed their understanding for Hamas' stance.

According to the report, several European countries are already holding talks with Hamas, and the dialogue has succeeded in bringing about a certain change in the European stance toward the Hamas-led Palestinian government.

The Palestinian official said that Hamas representatives held meeting in European countries and even succeeded in convincing the Europeans to accept the movement's stance.

"Additional meetings will be held in the coming days between Hamas delegations and political officials in Europe and the United States," he added.

According to the source, the Europeans expressed their willingness to addresses an idea of solving the conflict based on a "long-term hudna (truce)," as suggested by Hamas, instead of the land for peace principle.

The Palestinian source added that the Europeans objected to the Qaurtet's conditions regarding the relations with the Palestinian government. The Quartet demands that Hamas recognizes Israel and the agreements signed with it, renounces violence and disarms.

"The most important European countries, which have contact with the current Palestinian government and with the Hamas movement, are France and Britain. These countries demanded that Hamas submits a detailed document on the hudna idea and on the organization's perception of Israel," the source said.

'Not interested in harming Democrats' chances'

The sources added that the political officials who met with the Hamas leaders in Europe were among the countries' leaders.

The Palestinian official expressed his hope that the recent talks would lead to positive developments, especially in light of "Hamas' flexibility in its diplomatic stances."

He mentioned the willingness of Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal to establish a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders without recognizing Israel.

The source also noted that Hamas made some achievement on the American front thanks to a meeting held with senior members of the Democratic Party.

He refused to elaborate on the meeting and where it took place, claiming that Hamas is not interested in harming the Democrats' chances to win the 2008 elections.