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Hamas to visit Moscow on March 3 for talks
MOSCOW - Russia said on Monday it would hold talks on March 3 with the militant Islamist group Hamas, which is forming a new Palestinian government, in a move that has upset Israel and the United States. The Moscow talks challenge efforts by Israel and the United States to isolate Hamas unless it recognises the Jewish state’s right to exist and renounces violence.

It was unclear at what level the talks would be held but one senior Russian official was quoted as saying Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov could receive a Hamas delegation headed by Khaled Meshaal, the politburo chief who lives in fear of his life exile. The Itar-Tass news agency quoted Alexander Kalugin, Russia’s special envoy to the Middle East, as saying it was “not ruled out” Lavrov would receive a Hamas delegation led by Meshaal.

Lavrov has said Russia will tell Hamas it must commit to seeking peace with Israel to win international acceptance. That reflects the position of the international Quartet of Middle East mediators, grouping Russia, the United Nations, the European Union and the United States. “It is not yet clear how ready Hamas is to recognise Israel,” Kalugin added. “We intend to confirm the key elements where we want to see a change in the movement’s position. But it’s up to them whether they will take our position into account or not.”
As Kissinger once said, the Paleos have never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

Posted by: Steve White 2006-02-28
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=143980