MOSCOW, (PIC)-- The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that international communication had been opened with Hamas explaining that Moscow views Hamas as a movement that retains the confidence, sympathy and trust of a large segment of the Palestinian people.
Andre Neterenko, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in a statement that "Moscow does not consider Hamas an artificial organisation; rather it considers it one which relies on the confidence of a large portion of the Palestinian people who sympathise with it." He went on to highlight that "it is well known that Hamas won the majority of votes during the parliamentary elections held in the Palestinian territories in 2006 and which the international community deemed free and fair."
The Russian official emphasised that "contacts between us and Hamas are maintained regularly; just as it is well known that other members of the international Quartet on the Middle East have contact with Hamas in one way or another. However, for some incomprehensible reason, they shy away from admitting so publicly."
An earlier meeting between Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, and the leader of Hamas' political bureau, Khaled Meshaal was met with disappointment and condemnation from Israel which has unleashed its anger on Medvedev. Israel's foreign minister has also rejected the invitation by Medvedev and Turkish Prime Minister, Abdullah Gul, to involve Hamas in the peace process.
Hamdan asks world community to amend its stands
[ 15/05/2010 - 07:24 AM ]
BEIRUT, (PIC)-- Osama Hamdan, the representative of Hamas in Lebanon, has called on the world community to amend its stands toward Hamas following the meeting in Damascus between Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and Hamas supreme leader Khaled Mishaal.
Hamdan told Al-Jazeera TV network on Friday that what Medvedev had said about not ignoring Hamas constituted a step forward and an opportunity before the world to amend its stands regarding Hamas.
He said that the Israeli dismay at the Medvedev-Mishaal meeting reflected Israel's concern following its recent crisis with the USA, noting that Europe was also disturbed by Israel's practices, which together with Russia and the UN constitute the international quartet committee on the Middle East.
Medvedev expressed keenness on the release of the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit but he also expressed understanding at the movement's demand for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, Hamdan said, noting that Hamas told the Russian head of state that it was interested in concluding the prisoners' exchange deal and that Israel was the one impeding it.
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