Barack Obama administration 'prepared to talk to Hamas'
A small step, but an important one, if true. I'm eager to hear more about this.
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RedMolly
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I am too. Hamas was democratically elected - which is what Bush wanted (only he had hoped Hamas would lose).
Since they are official -- we should talk to them as we do North Korea, Iraq, Syria, Columbia, etc...
Talk never hurt anybody but it sure has helped in some cases.
January 9, 2009 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Being elected (legitimately) is more than Bush can say for himself!
January 9, 2009 7:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I haven't done an exhaustive search, but so far, I can't seem to find anything about this in the US press. No surprise there, I guess.
January 9, 2009 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/08/barack-obama-gaza-hamas
January 9, 2009 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/09/report-obama-advisers-urge-talks-hamas/
Obama team denies this
January 9, 2009 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting, though if they're planning to keep the talks clandestine, a public denial would be expected--and it's easy to see why they'd want to keep everything on a clandestine or unofficial level.
January 9, 2009 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It appears Obama wants a fresh start from what the Dubya Dolts have created, or let languish, amidst strong language. Perhaps he wants to see for himself what the situation is through fewer interpretations by "seasoned" diplomats. Fresh eyes may offer more reasonable/pragmatic solutions.
January 9, 2009 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is, is.
What is not, is not.
Hamas exists.
Iran exists.
Evil governments exist.
You do not then just ignore the fact by simply refusing to talk with them and spend time and money talking at them.
Do we invite them into NATO? No.
January 9, 2009 8:05 PM | Reply | Permalink