| Submit your comments on this article | |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan | |
| Palestinian ministers face blanket US ban | |
| 2007-02-16 | |
The warning indicates the extent of Washington's unease at the agreement reached in Mecca last week between the rival Palestinian groups, Hamas and Fatah. It comes just before a meeting in Jerusalem on Monday between the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, and Mr Abbas. The boycott means that any Fatah leaders who join the new government will be shunned by US officials, and suggests that Monday's meeting is unlikely to produce a breakthrough. However, the US will continue to talk to Mr Abbas and his office, Palestinian officials said. An official told Reuters: "The Americans have informed us that they will be boycotting the new government headed by Hamas. Fatah and independent ministers will be treated the same way Hamas ministers are treated." Saeb Erekat, a Palestinian negotiator who met US officials last week to prepare for Monday's meeting, said: "The Americans reiterated the position that their relations with the government will depend on the government's compliance with the Quartet's principles." The so-called Quartet of Middle East negotiators - the EU, US, UN and Russia - has said its boycott of the Palestinian government will only be lifted if the new authority recognises Israel, renounces violence and accepts past peace agreements. | |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 I concur. No more US blankets for Paleo ministers. How about also banning those dish towels the wear as "Do-Rags"? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-02-16 10:52 |