Hamas says Cairo calm talks failed because of Israeli intransigence

[ 05/02/2009 - 11:21 AM ]

DAMASCUS, (PIC)--

Hamas on Thursday denied Egyptian press reports that agreement on calm between Palestinian resistance and Israeli occupation authority was about to be concluded.

Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, the Hamas spokesman, said that the current round of talks in Cairo on the calm agreement had failed due to Israeli obstinacy and its refusal to open crossings and end siege.

He said that the Hamas delegation in Cairo tabled specific queries to the IOA via Cairo and the responses would determine the Movement's position regarding calm.

The round of talks in Cairo did not reach any tangible result because the IOA tabled ambiguous pledges that could be interpreted according to its whims, Abu Zuhri told Quds Press, adding that the delegation members would leave the Egyptian capital.

The spokesman said that the delegation could return to Cairo if it found satisfactory response to its clarifications.

Nasr: Cairo talks blocked by Israeli intransigence

[ 05/02/2009 - 09:59 AM ]

DAMASCUS, (PIC)--

Muhammed Nasr, political bureau member of the Hamas Movement and member of its delegation to the Cairo talks, said that the Egyptian efforts to conclude a calm agreement with the Israeli occupation authority were foiled by Israeli intransigence.

Nasr said in a press statement on Wednesday evening that the IOA was trying to impose conditions, which blocked Egyptian efforts.

He said that Hamas was taking into consideration her people's national interest and was trying to alleviate their suffering as a result of the Israeli brutal war on Gaza. "Hence, we are trying to forge a calm agreement that would alleviate the suffering of our people, but this calm should succeed in lifting the siege and opening the crossings before the Palestinian people," he clarified.

Nasr said that the IOA was asking Hamas to combat digging of tunnels and "smuggling" of weapons or what it called "illegitimate business".

The Hamas leader expressed indignation at such a demand, saying, "What kind of logic that closes all gates and crossings of Gaza then ask the people not to dig tunnels to secure their needs. Do they want the Gaza Strip to turn into a mass grave for the Palestinian people?" he asked in conclusion.

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.