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France and Spain bid to 'legalize' Hamas
 France and Spain are working towards removing Hamas from the European Union's list of terror organizations, the London based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat quoted Palestinian sources as saying Sunday. According to reports, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has appointed envoys to look into the possibility of removing the organization from the list. The report added that removal of Hamas from the list would be subject to a Hamas commitment to end suicide bombings and attacks on Israeli citizens. Spanish foreign ministry representatives were holding talks on the matter with Hamas representatives in Beirut and Damascus, the report said. According to the report, France and Spain are seeking to remove Hamas from the list of terror organizations ahead of Palestinian Authority general elections, scheduled to be held June, in which Hamas is expected to score high marks. Senior Spanish and French officials are working towards convincing European governments to bring about a change regarding Hamas, claiming it is unwise to boycott a movement with such a dominant presence on the Palestinian street. France and Spain also noted the social role Hamas fills in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The newspaper source reported that representatives from the Spanish foreign office began talks with Hamas after the return of the socialists to power last March and Moratinos' appointment as foreign minister. Hamas was added to the list of terror organizations after the military arm carried out a terror attack in Jerusalem more than two years ago. Hamas representatives confirmed talks are being held with European representatives on the matter. Posted by: Fred 2005-03-06 |
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