DAR AL HARB - RUSSIA / E.U. / U.S.A.: RUSSIA SAYS THAT THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION SHOULD END THE BOYCOTT OF HAMAS

Russia decries Hamas boycott
By Nicholas Kralev

Russia urged the United States and Europe yesterday to end a boycott of the Palestinians' Hamas-led government, exposing divisions in the group of international mediators known as the Quartet as it met in Washington in an effort to restart Middle East peace talks.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hosted the meeting at the State Department on a day when fighting in the Gaza Strip raged between Hamas and the rival Fatah party, claiming at least 17 lives on the deadliest day thus far in a violent power struggle.

"We expressed our concern about events on the ground in the Palestinian territories," Miss Rice told reporters. "Obviously, innocent people are being caught up in this violence, and it needs to stop."

The Quartet -- consisting of the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations -- expressed support for Washington's initiative to begin talks between Israel and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who also leads Fatah.

...


Pertinent Links:

1) Russia decries Hamas boycott