US Sees No Change From Hamas After Carter Talks

The U.S. State Department says it sees no policy changes by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the wake of former President Jimmy Carter's meetings with Hamas leaders. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department the Bush administration counseled Mr. Carter against meeting Hamas.

Bush administration officials were irate over Mr. Carter's plans to meet Hamas, arguing it would undermine a political boycott aimed at forcing U.S. designated terrorist organization to accept international terms for Middle East peace talks.

Now that the former U.S. president has met key Hamas figures, the State Department is downplaying Mr. Carter's suggestion that Hamas is, at least conditionally, prepared to accept Israel as a neighbor in the region.

Mr. Carter said Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and other members of the group he met with in Damascus said they would accept a peace agreement with Israel negotiated by moderate Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, if the accord was later approved by Palestinians in a referendum.

In a talk with reporters, State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said there are already contradictory statements by other Hamas officials, suggesting the group would reserve the right to reject results of a referendum.

Casey said U.S. officials would be delighted if there really was movement by Hamas toward accepting terms the international Middle East Quartet set for Hamas in 2006 for entering peace talks, but said he sees no fundamental change coming from the Carter contacts:

"It does not recognize Israel's right to exist, it has not eschewed or walked away from terrorism and violence. Nor has it said it will honor any of the previous agreements that have been made with the Israeli government. All of which were conditions from the Quartet for the international community to engage with Hamas. I have seen a lot of contradictory statements out there in light of some of his meetings. But it is pretty clear to us there is no acceptance on the part of Hamas of any kind of negotiated settlement," said Casey.

Mr. Carter also met Syrian officials in Damascus and said both Syria and Hamas would have to be involved in order to make progress toward peace.

Casey said Syria, with which the United States has diplomatic relations, was invited to and attended last November's Annapolis conference on the Middle East hosted by President Bush.

He said the Damascus government has a history of making positive statements, but its stated good intentions are belied by its actions including interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon.

The State Department's chief Middle East policy official, David Welch, counseled former President Carter against having the meetings with Hamas.

Nonetheless, spokesman Casey said if Mr. Carter wishes to brief Assistant Secretary Welch or other officials about his meetings, they would be happy to hear from him.

Mr. Carter, a Democrat who held the White House from 1977 to 1981, has been active in international conflict resolution through his Atlanta-based Carter Center and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

I hope there are more posts on this because it’s a major big deal. I read a long, comprehensive article earlier on JC’s “verbatim” report to the State Dept. of Hamas’ “agreements” - all hogwash.

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and other members of the group he met with in Damascus said they would accept a peace agreement with Israel negotiated by moderate Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, IF the accord was later approved by Palestinians in a referendum. Of course, they would reserve the right to reject results of a referendum. Blah blah blah. The Hamas charter hasn’t been revised or changed - “It does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, it has not eschewed or walked away from terrorism and violence. Nor has it said it will honor any of the previous agreements that have been made with the Israeli government. All of which were conditions from the Quartet for the international community to engage with Hamas. I have seen a lot of contradictory statements out there in light of some of his meetings. But it is pretty clear to us there is no acceptance on the part of Hamas of any kind of negotiated settlement,” said Casey.

Syrian officials in Damascus said “both Syria and Hamas would have to be involved in order to make progress toward peace.” Hamas ALSO said, as another “condition” of their “agreement” that after a referendum (which they may not abide by), this would ALSO have to be put to a vote by Palestinians world-wide (millions)!!! How stupid do they think WE are - judging us by Benedict Carter, maybe???

For what it’s worth, Israeli prime minister Olmert met with him afterward - to SCOLD him for what he did.

So, once again, JC, as with your previous, disastrous, failed “peace accords”, what have you accomplished other than more severe damage on several levels, to this country???

> So, once again, JC, as with your previous, disastrous, failed “peace accords”, what have you accomplished other than more severe damage on several levels, to this country???

The State Department should do nothing to legitimize this rogue initiative, nothing to give Carter any credibility whatsoever.

Perhaps Ms Rice should issue a statement that says something like “fortunately for Israel and the US interests, private citizen James Carter is not in a decision-making capacity. His interference in this matter is not productive neither is it appreciated.”

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