PA: EU Can Remove Hamas from Terror List, No Difference between Our Policies and Theirs

Following are excerpts from an interview with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, which aired on Russia Today TV on March 15, 2013.

Interviewer: "It is said that the EU plans to remove Hamas from the list of terror organizations. Do you view this as a step toward complete recognition of the legitimacy of the [Hamas] government?"

Mahmoud Abbas: "I do not think that they will acknowledge the legitimacy of the Hamas government. After what happened, and given that Hamas has honored the truce, and has declared that it supports peaceful popular resistance… As far as I am concerned, there is no difference between our policies and those of Hamas. So why are they labeled as terrorists? In my opinion, [the EU] can remove Hamas [from the list], why not?"

Mahmoud Abbas: "Neither we nor Hamas fire missiles. Since the end of the second Intifada, we have committed ourselves to refrain from using weapons. We say this out in the open. It’s no secret. We don’t hide this under the table. We say loud and clear that we have no intention or desire to violate… or rather, to engage in an armed Intifada with Israel. I say this loud and clear.

"Hamas declared [the same], but then there were skirmishes once or twice. Hopefully, that was the end of it.

"Nobody wants to take in the Palestinians who leave Syria. They came to Syria as refugees, and they should remain in Syria or return to their own country. That’s it. That’s why the situation is difficult. I hope the crisis is alleviated or resolved."

Mahmoud Abbas: "Exactly. Now they cannot. Many have already returned. If I told you the numbers, you’d be amazed. From the return of the Palestinian Authority to our homeland in 1994 until 2000, half a million Palestinians returned."

To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; ..

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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Or add Fatah

2 posted on 04/02/2013 4:40:50 AM PDT by SJackson (The PilgrimsÂ—Doing the jobs Native Americans wouldnÂ’t do !)

I do believe that the Fatahsses aren’t getting enough Hellfire missile in their diets.

3 posted on 04/02/2013 7:00:42 AM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have IngSoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)

To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks SJackson.

4 posted on 04/02/2013 8:16:39 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)

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