Blair: Quartet will talk to Hamas if it recognises Israel

[bemildred]

ABU DHABI - Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair said on Wednesday the diplomatic Quartet would deal with Hamas if the Islamic resistance movement accepts a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, despite the fact that – ironically - Hamas had said it accepts a two-state solution.

"The Quartet has always said it is prepared to talk to Hamas provided that Hamas is part of a government that is on terms that are consistent with the two-state solution," said Blair, who represents the four prncipals of the Quartet -- Europe, Russia, the United States and the United Nations.

Observers say that it is odd for Blair not be aware of the position of Hamas, which has in more than one occasion in the past clearly stated that it accepts the two-sate solution.

"The issue is not whether we talk to Hamas or not. The issue is whether there is a basis for talking that allows us to make progress on the two-state solution," he told reporters on the sideline of an energy summit in Abu Dhabi.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=29907

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. How the fuck can you be PM as long as Blair has and not know this about Hamas?

Seriously - was it stupendously stupid serendipity that he and Bush were in charge at the same time?

[oberliner]

2. Quartet will talk to Hamas if it recognises Israel: Blair

ABU DHABI (AFP) – Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair said on Wednesday the diplomatic Quartet would deal with Hamas if the Islamist movement accepts a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"The Quartet has always said it is prepared to talk to Hamas provided that Hamas is part of a government that is on terms that are consistent with the two-state solution," said Blair, who represents the four principals of the Quartet -- Europe, Russia, the United States and the United Nations.

"The issue is not whether we talk to Hamas or not. The issue is whether there is a basis for talking that allows us to make progress on the two-state solution," he told reporters on the sideline of an energy summit in Abu Dhabi.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090121/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictgazaquartetpalestinianhamas_20090121134212

[delad]

3. look how well Fatah did since they recognised Israel

Palestinian free state, viable economy, safety, security and a friendly neighbour in Israel... oh wait... :sarcasm:

[azurnoir]

4. Hopefully Hamas will once again call the bluff and do this

I have come to the conclusion that the very last thing Israel wants is recognition from Hamas, as it takes away a mojor reason to further stall negotiations.

[delad]

5. valid point but

at the same time i can understand Hamas' reluctance to do so. A bit of a quandry, recognise and demand negotiations that Israel would have to engage with. But that could end up like all previous negotiations...