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France Ready to Cooperate with Palestinian Govt
Hamas political chief Khaled Mashaal is to arrive in Moscow on Monday to step up efforts to lift the financial and political blockade in Palestine which was imposed last year after the radical political movement assumed power. Moscow has got one member of the Middle East Quarter on its side after France said it is willing to cooperate with Palestine’s new government of national unity.
French President Jacques Chirac said Sunday his country would support a government of national unity between Hamas and its rival, Fatah. The formation of the government is “a first step toward the full applications of conditions of the Quarter”, he said after meeting Palestine’s leader Mahmoud Abbas. French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said later that France would be ready to cooperate with the new government.
Russia has so far been the only one country pushing to recognize Hamas-led government and provide financial aid to Palestine. The United States, the UN, the European Union and Russia – the so-called Quartet – reiterated last week that Hamas must renounce violence, recognize Israel and follow previous agreements between the Israelis and the Palestinians before the financial blockade can be lifted.
Moscow is keen to play a mediating role in the Middle East and expects concessions from the Palestinians in return for Russia’s support. As a trade-off, the Islamists may agree to set free Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit who was captured last summer. Meanwhile, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman arrived in Moscow Sunday night. It is possible that the Russian diplomats will try to mediate between the Israeli minister and Hamas leader.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Feb. 26, 2007
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