PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES:HAMAS WILL not recognise Israel, Khaled Mishaal, its politboro chief, said yesterday in response to staments made earlier in the day by former US president Jimmy Carter.
Mr Mishaal said Hamas endorsed a sovereign Palestine on land captured by Israel in 1967 - east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza: "We accept a state on the June 4th line with Jerusalem as its capital, real sovereignty and full right of return for refugees but without recognising Israel."
Mr Mishaal's statement followed seven hours of talks with Mr Carter and clarified the former president's remarks concerning Hamas's willingness to accept the "existence of Israel within its 1967 borders". Mr Mishaal reiterated Hamas's longstanding refusal to recognise Israel's "right to exist", which is a condition imposed by the US and Israel for its involvement in Palestinian governance.
Mr Carter read to a gathering in Jerusalem a message from Hamas stating that if President Mahmoud Abbas "succeeds in negotiating a final status agreement with Israel, Hamas would accept" the deal "even if Hamas is opposed" as long as it is approved by the people in a referendum or by "a duly elected Palestinian national council". This meant "Hamas will not undermine Abbas's efforts to negotiate an agreement," Mr Carter observed.
Before any referendum, Hamas told Mr Carter, there must be reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, who have been feuding since last June when Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip.
This could be achieved through the formation of a national consensus government of non-partisan professionals and a unified security force.
Abdullah Abdullah, a Fatah legislator, said Hamas's conversations with Mr Carter show Hamas is growing "closer to the mainstream" Palestinian drive for statehood. Hamas initially called for Israel's replacement by an Islamic state but later said peace could be achieved in stages without committing itself to specific modalities.
Mr Carter justified his meetings with Hamas and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad by saying: "We believe the problem is not that I met with Hamas in Syria, the problem is that the US refuses to meet with those involved" in Middle East disputes.
Hamas rejected Mr Carter's proposals for a 30-day unilateral ceasefire and for an early exchange of prisoners between Hamas and Israel.
Hamas argued that Egypt is mediating deals involving a reciprocal ceasefire in Gaza as a first stage in achieving a comprehensive truce including the West Bank and for the swap of 1,000-1,400 Palestinian prisoners for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit captured in 2006.
Mr Carter said Hamas agreed to allow Cpl Shalit to send a letter to his parents.
Mr Carter learned in Damascus that "85 per cent of the differences" between Syria and Israel over the Golan Heights had been resolved, including borders, water rights, security zones and the presence of international forces.
"It's a matter of reconvening the talks," said Mr Carter who recommended energetic US involvement.
Israel, which is celebrating Passover, did not comment on Mr Carter's mission which it and and the US government opposed.
