Hamas leader urges West to talk

[azurnoir]

In a speech aired on Arab satellite TV, the exiled chief said it was "time to start talking to Hamas".

The four main Middle East mediators - the EU, the US, the UN and Russia - have said there can be no dealing with Hamas until it recognises Israel, renounces violence and accepts interim peace deals signed by the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

"The Gaza Strip has scored a victory. The enemy has failed and the resistance, together with our people and nation, has scored victory.

"But we still have two important battles ahead of us. The battle to break the siege and the battle to reopen the border crossings, particularly the Rafah crossing."

Israel has blockaded the Palestinian enclave since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007.

It has refused to fully open border crossings to allow desperately needed aid, goods and construction materials into Gaza.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7843465.stm

[cali]

1. although I do think that the West should include Hamas in talks

bombastic statements like that one, won't help to achieve that goal.

[customerserviceguy]

3. Yep

this clown was safe in Damascus, if his sorry butt was on the line in Gaza, I wonder if he'd be boasting of 'victory'.

If that's victory, I'd sure hate to see what a loss would have looked like.

[stray cat]

2. The responsibilities laid out to originate talks are clear so its up to Hamas

[Vegasaurus]

4. Good luck with that Hamas

maybe learn to moderate first, and then there can be talks.