Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., March 25, 2008 Adar2 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:45 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Fatah and Hamas agree to keep reconciliation contacts alive By Haaretz Correspondent and agencies , By Avi Issacharoff Hamas and Fatah yesterday agreed to continue their attempts to reach a reconciliation, signing a joint statement to that effect in the Yemenite capital of Sanaa, under the mediation of Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh. This move came despite Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' position that there can be no dialogue with Hamas until Fatah control of the Gaza Strip is restored. Advertisement After the signing, Abbas said that Fatah support for the Yemen initiative did not mean it wanted to renew a dialogue with Hamas. Hamas leaders also had reservations, saying that the Yemen president's proposal could not be implemented immediately. In a meeting hosted by Saleh, Palestinian officials signed a declaration that read: "We, representatives of Hamas and Fatah, accept the Yemen initiative as the basis for negotiations to restoring the situation that existed in the Palestinian territories before the events in Gaza." It was signed by Mousa Marzook, on behalf of Hamas, and Fatah official Azam el-Ahmed, who stressed the "unity of the Palestinian territory and its contiguity." The principles of the Yemen-brokered agreement revolve around returning control of the Gaza Strip to Fatah, forming a unity government that will function until early elections for the presidency and parliament are held and the reformation of the PA security forces, not affiliated to either faction. The Yemen president said talks will resume in April, in effect after the Arab League summit in Damascus ends. Jerusalem denial Meanwhile, an official in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's bureau yesterday denied a report that Israel has offered Hamas and Islamic Jihad a year-long cease-fire in return for an end to Qassam rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip on its southern communities. "There are no direct or indirect contacts with Hamas. Our position is that if they don't shoot at us from Gaza, we won't shoot back," the source said. Earlier yesterday, the London-based Arabic daily Al-Hayat reported that Egyptian intermediaries on Saturday told representatives of Hamas and Islamic Jihad that Israel would agree to a year-long truce if they would halt the rocket attacks from Gaza. In Ramallah, visiting U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney told Abbas that the Qassam rockets "do not merely kill innocent civilians. They also kill the legitimate hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people." Cheney also had tough criticism for Hamas, saying "the U.S. remains strongly committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Achieving that will require tremendous effort at the negotiating table and painful concessions on both sides. It will also require a determination to defeat those who are committed to violence and who refuse to accept the basic right of the other side to exist." At a press conference after their meeting, Abbas thanked Cheney for U.S. support, but also blasted Israel's settlements and checkpoints. "To reach peace," Abbas said, "what is required is will, courage and strong support from the international community, especially the U.S." Cheney met later in the day in Tel Aviv with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who told him that that Iran's nuclear plans were threatening the stability of the entire region, as well as the world. Barak added that Israel believes that financial sanctions against Iran could still prove effective, but that all options should remain on the table. President Shimon Peres, meanwhile, dismissed recent Syrian calls for peace talks, telling Cheney that Israel would not consider ceding the Golan Heights to Syria only to have Damascus and Tehran increase their dominance in Lebanon. During a meeting between the two leaders in Jerusalem, Peres said "Israel is not willing to return the Golan Heights to Syria in exchange for Iranian-Syrian control of Lebanon," referring in part to Damascus and Tehran's support for Hezbollah. For his part, Cheney said it appeared Syrian President Bashar Assad was not interested in peace talks with Israel. Cheney also said that the U.S. is concerned about Syria's arming of Hezbollah. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nothing to fear Nasrallah says power of IDF exaggerated, Zionist entity can be wiped out. Sharing the blame Al-Qaida deputy chief calls on Muslims to strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids.

Today Online Al-Qaida No. 2: Strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids Responses: 109 Nasrallah: The Zionist entity can be wiped out of existence Responses: 92 Barak: We must take Hezbollah's latest threats seriously Responses: 54 Loving Jesus but fearing the neighbors in Ariel Responses: 66 Shahar Ilan: The dangerous vision of an Arab-free Knesset Responses: 42 More Headlines 00:11 Nasrallah: The Zionist entity can be wiped out of existence 21:57 IDF soldier suspected of handing intel over to Hezbollah 17:26 Barak: We'll ease W. Bank plight, but checkpoints to stay for now 21:40 Bank of Israel cuts interest rate to lowest level in history 02:43 ANALYSIS / Nasrallah threatened punishment not revenge 19:22 Arab MKs storm out of Knesset when Lieberman speaks 02:34 Knesset approves precedent setting organ donor law 01:54 Police believe they may have captured Bnei Brak serial rapist 19:10 Rosner's Guest: Daniel Kurtzer 01:00 Rubinstein Piano Competition: semi-finals / The Mozart hurdle 15:22 Palestinians: Civilian dead, another hurt as IDF troops enter Gaza 18:14 Qureia: Fatah signed reconciliation draft with Hamas due to mixup Previous Editions Select Day 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM FREE JEWISH HISTORY COURSE Berel Wein's best selling lectures. 5000 Years in Five hours /CD/MP3 Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved