America Shuns Hamas-Fatah Alliance

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) – America. has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that it will shun a future Hamas-Fatah coalition government because it will not explicitly recognize Israel, his aides said Thursday.The stance would be a severe blow to Mr. Abbas, who is trying to reach a power-sharing deal to end Palestinian Arab infighting and get crippling international sanctions on the government lifted.Last week, the two political rivals reached a coalition agreement in principle, and the Hamas-led government was to resign later Thursday to pave the way for a coalition government. Washington had previously withheld judgment on the power-sharing deal.Mr. Abbas received word of the new American position in a phone call from Assistant Secretary of State Welch late Wednesday, the aides said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue.Jacob Walles, the American consul general in Jerusalem, then delivered the same message to Mr. Abbas in person on Thursday, the aides said.The American Consulate in Jerusalem had no immediate comment.While the American government said it would not deal with the coalition government, it would still maintain ties with Mr. Abbas and his office, his aides said.Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat would only say that American officials have made it clear to the Palestinians that any government must adhere to the principles laid out by the so-called Quartet of Mideast mediators – recognize Israel, renounce violence and back previous peace deals with Israel.Mr. Erekat met with senior American officials in Washington last week to prepare for a three-way Mideast summit in Jerusalem on Monday. He also was involved in the meeting Thursday between Mr. Abbas and the American diplomat.“The Americans reiterated their position that their relations with the government will depend on the government’s compliance with the Quartet’s principles,” he said.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Turkish television that Israel was not happy with the coalition agreement. “I am not certain that the full scope of this agreement is clear to anyone, the initial signs are not very encouraging,” he said.However, he told reporters that he wanted to maintain ties with Mr. Abbas, who is widely known by his nickname, Abu Mazen.“I am against cutting off ties with Abu Mazen,” he said. “Abu Mazen was elected directly and his authority derives from this. I don’t see anything to deter a meeting with Abu Mazen. He is committed to the Quartet principles and the road map (peace plan).”The Hamas government was set to resign after last-minute demands by the militant group had been resolved, said Ziad Abu Amr, an independent who is expected to serve as foreign minister in the new Cabinet.A power-sharing deal brokered last week in the Muslim holy city of Mecca cleared the way for the formation of a Hamas-Fatah coalition. It seeks to end a deadly power struggle centered in Gaza that has killed more than 130 people since May, injured hundreds and caused millions of dollars in damage.Palestinian officials hoped the deal would also lead to a lifting of international sanctions that were imposed on the government after Hamas’ election last year.But foreign governments said they would wait to study the agreement and to see if the new government had the will – or ability – to prevent ongoing attacks on Israel, including rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.

America Shuns Hamas-Fatah Alliance

America Shuns Hamas-Fatah Alliance

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