Haaretz
Shvat 21, 5766
President Vladimir
Putin's envoy on international terrorism stressed Saturday that Russia
believes it would be counterproductive for the world to isolate Hamas
following the militant group's victory in the Palestinian elections, the
Interfax news agency reported.
"It is counterproductive to close
the door and say 'no' in advance," Interfax quoted Anatoly Safonov,
Putin's envoy for international cooperation in fighting terrorism and
transnational crime, as saying.
Putin stunned Israel and other
nations by inviting Hamas leaders to Moscow for talks. Safonov echoed
comments from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who said Friday that Russia
would use the meeting - expected in early March - to try to bring Hamas
into the Mideast peace process.
"It would probably be absolutely
correct to give the new Palestinian authorities the chance to show
themselves in a particular situation and not to close the door on them,"
Safonov was quoted as saying. "It's necessary to talk, help and encourage
a path that may be advantageous to everybody."
Safonov said Russia
has emphasized that the Palestinian authorities must guarantee Israel's
security and rule out unacceptable methods in attaining their goals,
Interfax reported.
"Hamas has a political and a combat wing. The
second one uses methods and practices that we don't accept," he
said.
Russia's top Mideast envoy Alexander Kalugin, meanwhile, said
the formation of the new Palestinian government would not affect the
planned talks because it will probably not be completed until after the
visit.