Posted on 03/08/2006 10:04:55 AM PST by Crackingham
Russia said Tuesday that Hamas could consider supporting the "road map" as well as a land-for-peace Arab proposal, while President Mahmoud Abbas said that he opposed the creation of a Palestinian state with temporary borders and further unilateral withdrawals. Stepping up pressure on Hamas, Israeli leaders warned they'd assassinate the incoming Palestinian prime minister and other Hamas politicians if the Islamic group resumes attacks.
With Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at his side, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov defended Russia's invitation to Hamas to visit Moscow, saying it was important that the Quartet position be conveyed directly to the Palestinian group. Lavrov said that during the visit of the Hamas delegation to Moscow, the group promised to respect "the authority and competencies" of Abbas.
"We also heard from them that they would be ready to express their position on the road map and to hopefully endorse the road map - as drafted by the Quartet - without any reservations to be added to this road map," Lavrov said. Finally, Lavrov said, the Hamas representatives said they would consider joining Arab initiative on the Middle East conflict that was adopted the Arab League summit in Beirut in 2002.
In Ramallah, Abbas reiterated that he objects to unilateral Israeli steps and asked for the resumption of peace talks.
"Any solution must be negotiated. We will not accept a repeat in the West Bank of what happened in the Gaza Strip," Abbas said in an address at festivities on the eve of International Women's Day.
Abbas recognized that the creation of a Palestinian state with temporary borders was outlined as a possibility in the road map peace plan. "It's an option, not an obligation and it is an option we reject," he said.
Israel's ruling Kadima Party has vowed to set the permanent borders of the Jewish state through a series of pullouts from the West Bank, provided it wins a March 28 general election.
Abbas also said he was ready to release the jailed leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmad Saadat, provided the PFLP took all responsibility for his security.
"I have no objection to Ahmad Saadat leaving prison tomorrow on condition that I receive a letter from the [PFLP] political office stipulating that I am not responsible for what happens to him," he said.
Israel accuses Saadat, who has been held since August 2002 in jail in the West Bank town of Jericho, under British-U.S. supervision, of being involved in the killing of Israeli tourism minister Rehavaam Zeevi, shot dead by a PFLP militant in 2001.
Reacting to Abbas' statement, Israeli Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra reiterated threats to kill Saadat if he is set free. Israel would be free "to make sure that he isn't free on the ground," he told Public Radio.
Hamas may support 'road map'
and monkeys might fly out my butt, but I would wait for it.
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