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Israel/Palestine
Hamas open to peace deal says Carter - White House still doubtful
Article published on the 2008-04-21 Latest update 2008-04-22 09:07 TU
Former US President Jimmy Carter at Yasser Arafat's grave in Ramallah.
(Photo : Reuters)
Former US President Jimmy Carter reported Monday that the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas would recognise Israel’s right to exist in peace, if the deal were approved by Palestinians. The White House says that it takes the declaration "with a grain of salt". And, after his meeting with Carter, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said that Hamas would neither negotiate nor formally recognise Israel.
After two days of meetings with Hamas’ exiled leader Meshaal in
He said that Hamas had promised to accept a Palestinian state on 1967 borders and accept the right of
Carter has now ended his nine-day Middle East tour. He failed to negotiate the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Hamas in June 2006 and set off the protracted conflict that summer between Israel and Palestinian groups in Lebanon.
Carter also reported that he failed to convince Hamas to unilaterally declare a 30-day ceasefire. “They turned me down,” he said.
The White House reacted coolly to Carter's announcement. Spokesperson Dana Perino pointed to continued attacks on Israelis by Hamas members.
"I think you have to look at the public comments of Hamas, and beyond that, look at the behaviour," she said.
And al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawarhiri slammed Hamas's proposal for a referendum.
"How can they put a matter that violates sharia [Islamic law] to a referencum?" he asked in a message posted on the internet.
and earlier...
