Hamas: Statements of Kouchner and Holmes shy, ineffective

Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

[ 18/02/2008 - 12:41 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

The Hamas Movement has described as "shy and ineffective" the calls made by both the French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner and the Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes for an end to the siege on the Gaza Strip.

Both Kouchner and Holmes criticized the crushing economic siege on the Gaza Strip and called for reopening the crossings to allow movement of people and goods.

"The statements of the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner and the Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes and their criticism of the siege on Gaza are shy postures that have no practical impact [on the situation], what we want is action, not words, because as these statements do not stop the Israelis from committing their daily atrocities on the ground they carry very little weight." said Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, the spokesman of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Furthermore, Abu Zuhri asserted that the repeated Israeli threats of unleashing military offensive on Gaza Strip were only attempts to camouflage the vicious crimes of the Israeli occupation army against the Palestinian people which are committed on daily basis.

Abu Zuhri also accused the Ramallah-based PA leadership of helping the Israelis in their deceit through the continuing with the "peace talks", Israel is using this atmosphere to cover for its daily crimes against the Palestinian people.

France Suggests Mediation between Hamas and Israel, Hamas welcomes

Gaza, February 18, 2008, (RNA)-

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Sunday night that France is ready to mediate between Israel and Hamas.

During his meeting with Yossi Beilin Head of Meretz Israeli party, Kouchner said that France is ready to play the role of mediator between Hamas and Israel to reach a cease-fire.

Hamas welcomed Kouchner suggestion and invited him to visit the Gaza Strip.

In a phone call with RNA, Ayman Taha, Hamas spokesperson, said that Hamas welcomes Kouchner initiative and invite him to Gaza to discuss the details of his initiative.

Fair Use Notice

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.