Carter says Hamas will accept Palestinian state within '67 borders if Palestinians agree

Haniya: Carter is not a mediator

[ 21/04/2008 - 04:35 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Ismail Haniya, the premier of the PA caretaker government, on Monday stressed that former American president Jimmy Carter was not an intermediary but underlined that his visit was politically important because it dealt with the Palestinian de facto conditions.

He explained in a press release that Carter got acquainted with the true situation in the region especially Hamas's positions.

The premier hoped that recent moves in the region including his Movement's meetings with Carter and Egyptian leadership would lead to tangible results particularly regarding breaking the siege and halting the IOF aggressions on Gaza and the West Bank.

Commenting on Carter's announcement that Hamas had agreed to a plebiscite on any political agreement between the PA and Israel, Haniya said that the formula, which Hamas accepted, was the same one included in the national concord document approved by majority of Palestinian factions. The document explains the nature and mechanism of such a referendum along with its political and legal aspects, he elaborated.

Haniya said that Hamas would positively respond to any offer for calm as long as it was reciprocal and comprehensive covering both Gaza and the West Bank.

The premier finally welcomed any visit to Gaza by any envoy for PA chief Mahmoud Abbas and promised to listen to what he says.

Carter in Jerusalem: the policy of excluding Hamas from the peace process is not working

Monday April 21, 2008 16:10 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

On Monday, former US President Jimmy Carter addressed the Israel Council on Foreign Relations, and then held a press conference at the King David Hotel in West Jerusalem

The main focus of Carter's speech at the press conference was regarding his meeting with Hamas movement officials last week in Syria and Egypt.

Carter said that Hamas leaders had told him that the movement is willing to agree on a peace deal with Israel if such a deal is negotiated by Mahmoud Abbas, and if the Palestinian Nation accepts this deal by voting on it.

"It means that Hamas will not undermine Abbas' efforts to negotiate an agreement and Hamas will accept an agreement if the Palestinians support it in a free vote," Carter said.

The former US President condemned the Palestinian home-made shells fired by the Palestinian resistance at nearby Israeli areas, adding that he told Hamas that they are using terrorist methods, referring to the home-made Qassam shell fire.

Carter met with Hamas officials last week in Ramallah, in addition to meeting the head of the Hamas politburo, Khaled Mesha'al, in Syria, and a number of Hamas leader from Gaza whom he meet in Egypt.

Israel and the US have condemned Carter's meeting with Hamas officials. In his defense, Carter stated at the press conference today, "we're not here as negotiators or mediators. We have no authority. We are here to learn. We believe the problem is not that I met with Hamas in Syria, The problem is that Israel and the United States refuse to meet with someone who must be involved."

The Hamas movement won the Palestinian legislative elections in January 2006. The movement formed the National Unity government with President Abbas' Fatah party, but a wave of internal Palestinian conflict culminated in June 2007, leaving Hamas in control of Gaza and Abbas in control of the West Bank.

Although the US, EU and Russia has stated that Hamas won in a very democratic way, they placed sanctions on Palestinian people for voting in the movement, because "Hamas refusal to recognize Israel and all past agreements signed with the Palestinians and Israel." Hamas says it will to recognize Israel if it ends its occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and a Palestinian state is formed on the 1967 borders.

Carter said today, "they [Hamas] said that they would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders if approved by Palestinians even though Hamas might disagree with some terms of the agreement."

Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli Peace talks that were reinstated during the one-day US sponsored Annapolis conference last November, Carter said that the peace process has "regressed".

He did not hide that he felt that the reason for this regression is Israel's continued settlement activity and the lack of the progress on the ground, such as removing Israeli military road blocks from the West Bank.

"There is a general feeling almost unanimously agreed that no progress has been made in the peace process of any significance," Carter stated during the press conference. "As a matter of fact, since Annapolis, the peace process has regressed, more settlements have been announced, more road blocks have been established, and the prison around Gaza has been tightened".

Regarding Gaza, Carter said, "a resolution needs to be made, as people [in Gaza] are continuing to suffer. I believe however, a greater and more effective American role is needed here - going beyond the commitments made by the Bush administration to reach a peace agreement."

Jimmy Carter is leading a study tour to Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan in a continued effort to support peace, democracy and human rights in the region.

Former US president Carter was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his roll in mediating conflicts, and for his humanitarian travels for the Carter Center. He has also written a book about the Israeli wall, entitled "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" which was released in 2007.

Carter: Hamas will accept Palestinian state within '67 borders if Palestinians agree

Date: 21 / 04 / 2008 Time: 12:13
Bethlehem – Ma'an –

Former US President Jimmy Carter on Monday said that Hamas had agreed to accept a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders if it is accepted by Palestinians in a referendum.

But Hamas say national reconciliation is necessary between Hamas and Fatah before the referendum is carried out. Carter said this means Hamas will not undermine Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' efforts to negotiate an agreement with Israel and will accept any deal if the Palestinian public endorses it.

Speaking at a press conference at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, Carter defended his controversial meeting with head of Hamas politburo, Khaled Mesha'al, in Damascus saying, "We're not here as negotiators or mediators. We have no authority. We are here to learn. 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."

He said that the peace process had reached a stalemate since the US-sponsored Annapolis peace conference in November.

"There is a general feeling that is almost unanimous that no progress has been made in the peace talks since Annapolis. Since Annapolis things have regressed with the prison around Gaza being tightened, more settlements being built and more roadblocks being set up," he said.

Carter confirmed that negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, despite Israel's denials. "It is well-known that there are direct discussions between Israel and Hamas with Egypt as intermediary," he said.

"I do not believe peace is likely unless Hamas and Syria are included in the strategy because exclusion exacerbates the cycle of violence, misunderstanding and animosity," he added.

Carter outlined the proposals he had discussed with Mash'al. He proposed a unilateral ceasefire for a period of 30 days but this was refused by Hamas who said they do not trust Israel not to continue their aggression against the West Bank and Gaza if Hamas agrees to a unilateral ceasefire.

He said he had proposed a "rapid exchange of prisoners" with an early transfer of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but "regretted" that Hamas had refused this proposal. Under Carter's proposal 41 Hamas leaders and 10 Hamas cabinet ministers and all the women and children currently held in Israeli jails would be released in exchange for Shalit.

He said he had proposed the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, which Hamas accepted under the proviso that European observers be allowed to remain.

Carter told journalists that Hamas was prepared to negotiate a government of national concensus with a unified security force for the West Bank and Gaza. He said the cabinet would be comprised of professionals who are non-politicians until elections can be held. Hamas representatives would be removed from the government until that time.

He added that Hamas have agreed to let Shalit send a letter to his family as a sign of good faith. They also agreed that he would be transferred to Egypt as part of the first phase of the prisoner exchange, awaiting a final agreement on prisoner exchange.

A source close to Mash'al in Damascus, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Ma'an that Mash'al held intensive meetings in Damascus with senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud Zahhar and Sa'id Siyam on Sunday evening. During the meeting they prepared a response to Carter's proposals which included Hamas' agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the ending of the crippling siege on the coastal sector and the reopening the border crossings.

Regarding any prisoner exchange, the source said Hamas insisted on their initial proposal - the release of 1,400 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit. The source also referred to an alternative suggestion proposed by Hamas – the release of 400 long-term prisoners in exchange for Shalit.

The source also revealed that Hamas would be willing to avoid participation in a future Palestinian national unity government. "If a comprehensive national solution were reached and it includes reform of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hamas will not take part in a future government so as to avoid impeding President Abbas' political efforts," the source said.

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