The Hindu : International : Abbas urges Hamas to transform, cooperate with Israel

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 27, 2006

International

International

Abbas urges Hamas to transform, cooperate with Israel

Chris McGreal

Jerusalem: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is scheduled to approve the appointment of a new Hamas-led government, warned on Sunday that the administration has no future — and will be acting against the interests of the people — unless it agrees to deal with Israel. In a letter to be delivered to the Hamas Prime Minister-designate, Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian President laid out fundamental disagreements with the new Government's platform.

Sources close to Mr Abbas, popularly known as Abu Mazen, said the letter is intended to ``draw the battle lines'' with Hamas but also serves as a warning to Israel and foreign powers that threats to sever aid and links are likely to strengthen, not weaken, the Islamist party.

``This is a question of political timing. For now it's in our interests for Hamas to experience the complexities of government, for Hamas to face the political, economic, security crises,'' said a source close to Mr. Abbas.

Delay in installation

``Abu Mazen doesn't want Hamas to fail, he wants it to transform, to accept the basic tenets of the political system.''

Mr Abbas also plans to delay the installation of the Government until after the Israeli general election on Tuesday out of concern that the swearing-in of a Hamas Prime Minister could push some voters to the Right.

In his letter to Mr Haniyeh, Mr. Abbas outlines six areas where he says the Hamas Cabinet's programme is ``detrimental'' to the Palestinian people. He says Hamas policies, including its refusal to recognise Israel, will damage or reverse ``diplomatic achievements'', give Israel a continued pretext for refusing to negotiate, and cost the Palestinian Authority foreign aid. He also says that Hamas's stand on Israel prevented the creation of a national unity government with Fatah and other parties which support negotiation. The source said Mr Abbas is appealing to Western nations not to cut aid because that will be used by Hamas to excuse its failings.

But the source said Mr Abbas's strategy to pressure Hamas will only work if Israel makes progress to end the conflict.

— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail