US bans meetings with Hamas

[barb162]

US bans meetings with Hamas
By Sharmila Devi in Ramallah, West Bank
Published: March 30 2006 03:00 | Last updated: March 30 2006 03:00

The US administration banned its officials last night from meeting the Islamist group Hamas, as the new Palestinian government was sworn in and while Israel's centrist Kadima party opened talks to form a coalition after winning the largest number of seats inKnesset elections.


US officials in the region were instructed by e-mail yesterday to have no contacts with Palestinian min-istries from 6pm last night.

Canada also announced last night it was suspending assistance to the Palestinian Authority because thenew Hamas-led government refused to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

The US brands Hamas a terrorist organisation and bans all contact with the group. But the impact of that policy will become more severe with Hamas now in government.
snip

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/56f71792-bf8a-11da-9de7-0000779e2340.html

[Andromeda]

1. Hamas is a terrorist organization.

The U.S. doesn't negotiate with terrorists--period. If we met with them, we'd have to meet with bin Laden, et al. The fact that they are now in government doesn't change anything.

[Englander]

2. Neocon nonsense. n/t

[Violet_Crumble]

3. You don't know the US has been found guilty of state-sponsored terrorism?

That's why all this 'we don't negotiate with terrorists' stuff is so hypocritical. And as yr definition of terrorism now includes governments, I can assure you that the US has met with terrorist governments in the past. Is Nicaragua and contras ringing any bells?

Violet...

[Karmakaze]

4. It actually proves that terrorism is their only resort.

If no one will talk to the Palestinians, then what other choice do they have?

Wouldn't it have been smarter to use their election as a way to side step this "we don't negotiate with terrorists" policy and actually talk to Hamas and try to convince them that violence is no longer necessary? That could have been a productive outcome.

[bemildred]

5. "The U.S. doesn't negotiate with terrorists--period."

Funniest thing I've read today. Have some more KoolAid(tm). The US government IS the largest and most successful terrorist organization in the World today. And it's a very competitive world, too, but we work harder at terrorism than anybody else.
:rofl::rofl:

[Coastie for Truth]

6. Kinda dumb - Hamas is the elected government

If you don't talk you can't resolve issues.

But The Bushies want to score points with their shrinking base and macho.


HAD ENOUGH?

COMPETENCE COUNTS!

REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER (2006 AND 2008)