Abbas, Hamas hold unity talks

[News_Editor]

Abbas, Hamas hold unity talks

2011-03-27 05:18:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

RAMALLAH (BNO NEWS) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday met in Ramallah with a high-level Hamas delegation to discuss reconciliation attempts, Palestine News and Info Agency WAFA reported.

Abbas discussed in a rare meeting with the delegation, headed by parliamentary speaker Aziz Dweik, his initiative to form a government of independent figures to prepare for national elections. He told Hamas officials, the rival of his Fatah party, that there will not be an independent Palestinian state without reconciliation.

Dweik described the meeting with Abbas as "frank and positive," WAFA reported.

"We listened to the president talk about his initiative to end division and reach reconciliation," he added.

The Palestinian leader also discussed his planned trip to Gaza. Fatah officials believe Hamas is opposed to the visit and Abbas' initiative.

"The meeting was deep and positive, but we have not yet seen steps by Hamas that they want to implement the president wish to go to Gaza," Fatah leader Azzam Ahmad said.

In February, Abbas announced the dissolution of the cabinet in an attempt to ensure domestic stability. He also announced that next September the long overdue elections will be held if all factions participate.

The Palestinian Authority has a limited mandate in the occupied West Bank as it lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas in 2007, the Islamist group which rejects permanent co-existence with Israel.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-27

[LaoPo]

^^^

A small glimmer of hope...

LaoPo

[kuffki]

Key words are

"The Palestinian Authority has a limited mandate in the occupied West Bank as it lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas in 2007, the Islamist group which rejects permanent co-existence with Israel.

"The Palestinian leader also discussed his planned trip to Gaza. Fatah officials believe Hamas is opposed to the visit and Abbas' initiative."

[coma]

Change the record.

[kuffki]

Change the record.

what record?

[Steely Dan]

I wonder whether they are discussing whether Hamas can bring themselves to issue even the most ambiguous mealy mouthed recognition of the Zionist entity.

[uptheos]

Probably discussing Humus with Hamas......that would be about their limit.

[geriatrickid]

Considering the fact that Hamas wanted Abbas removed and groups willing to violently overthrow Abbas are sheltered in Gaza, I don't think there will be much to talk about. I suppose Mr. Abbas might inquire as to whether or not Hamas is still supportive of his murder.

[kuffki]

Gaza cops use ‘beatings, stun guns’ on women reporters

Hamas security personnel raid offices of media organizations, including Reuters and CNN, confiscate equipment and documents.

A number of Palestinian women journalists complained on Sunday that they had been beaten and tortured by Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip.

They said the assaults occurred in recent days when they and their colleagues tried to cover pro-unity rallies in different parts of the Gaza Strip.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=214092

[kuffki]

Hamas policemen raid Gaza university office

University says policemen entered campus, attacked students who were demonstrating in favor of unity between Islamist movement and Fatah.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=212503

[hammered]

Talking to each other is good as both control a Palestinian canton. Abbas also has to secure his own future after the Palestinian papers which upset a lot to say the least and left the powerful Dahlan moving away from Abbas and leaving Abbas exposed for replacement. Hamas meanwhile see their position strengthened with the collapse of the Mubarak regime, as Israel have noticed. It will be interesting to see where in the longer term power ends up finding its center in Palestine with Abbas and the PLO leadership discredited and Hamas seemingly out of step with aspirations. That creates an opportunity for someone, which is of course another reason why the two are so happy to talk.