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European aid cannot buy Hamas, says Meshaal
 European aid to Palestine could not persuade the Palestinian group Hamas to change its policy positions, a leader of the radical Islamic movement due in Moscow for talks this week said in an interview published here on Wednesday. The Palestinian people cannot sell their legitimate claims, Khaled Meshaal said in an interview with Russias Vremya Novostei daily, responding to a question on the European Unions decision to unblock financial aid for the Palestinians. There can be no trading on that, with money on one side and on the other side our homeland and our rights... Humanitarian aid should not be given with conditions. Its inadmissible, he said.On Monday, the European Union released 120 million euros (143.2 million dollars) to help the transitional Palestinian government fund its basic needs for about two months. Meshaal will lead a delegation to Moscow for talks on Friday and Saturday with Russian officials on an invitation from President Vladimir Putin after Hamas swept Palestinian elections last month. The visit is aimed at starting a dialogue, Meshaal said. Russia can put forward its proposals... We are ready to discuss all possible ideas. But the Hamas leader opposed recognising the state of Israel - a demand made by the Middle East Quartet, made up of the European Union, Russia, the United Nations, the United States. Posted by: Fred 2006-03-02 |
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