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He is making the point that the tax money that Israel is withholding belongs to the Palestinians, not Israel.
Said that by punishing Hamas we are creating more suffering among the Palestinian people, making the US appear to be the enemy of the Palestinian people, and strengthening Hamas.
He says the Hamas government can be bypassed and aid money given to the UN to distribute, as a way of resolving the problem.
In response to Cheney's recent statement, Carter said that we should remember that Abbas is still the Prime Minister, and is still there to negotiate, without involving Hamas at all. In a recent visit, he was reminded by Abbas of the ceasefire, which Hamas did honor. Was told by another Palestinian leader that what Hamas wants is a peaceful government. He believes that Hamas will have to acknowledge Israel's right to exist, and that international pressure will ensure that.
Then there was a segment on Al-Zahar (Hamas leader), from several weeks ago, who said that he wanted an Islamic state.
Carter said that he didn't doubt that was what Al-Zahar wants, but that isn't necessarily what the Palestinian people want. He said the Palestinian people don't want sharia law, and won't allow Hamas to establish it.
He has been involved with the Pals and Israel for 30 years and has seen dramatic changes. When he became president, every other gov't was dedicated to Israels destruction, but that has changed now. The PA was orignially dedicated to Israel's destruction, but went on to make agreements with Israel. He thinks its a mistake to give up, and turn the Palestinian people against the west.
Asked about Iran's plans for a nuclear bomb, he said he does think it's the intention of Iran to build a bomb. He thinks it would be a threat to the entire region for Iran to have such a weapon. Thinks we should work with the Russians.
Guantanamo: agree that it should be shut down. Prisoners have never had legal rights. Best thing to do in light of human rights concerns would be to shut it down, as the UN says.
UAE controversy: no particular threat to our security, as it has been vetted by the US government.
Hunting accident: Thinks everyone in the WH probably agrees they would have done better to not conceal it. To conceal it, and to blame Whittington, was a big mistake.
I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me if the interview is run again later on CNN.
(all this is highly paraphrased, as I don't type that fast!)
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