• Published 00:00 22.09.07
  • Latest update 00:00 22.09.07

Fatah official says talks with Hamas are likely after November summit

Fatah central committee member: I believe dialogue is a certain choice; Fatah's stance bans talks with Hamas.

By DPA Tags: Annapolis conference Hamas Fatah Middle East peace

A senior Fatah official said Saturday that talks with the rival Islamic movement Hamas are likely to be held following an international peace conference slated for November.

"I believe the dialogue with the two movements is a certain choice but I think it will be delayed until after the conference in the fall," Qadora Fares, a member of the central committee of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction, told reporters.

U.S. President George W. Bush called for a regional summit to discuss resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process after Abbas ended a short-lived coalition with Hamas following Hamas' violent seizure of the Gaza Strip in fierce fighting against Fatah forces last June.

Abbas considered the takeover a coup against his legitimacy.

Following the Gaza takeover, Abbas has held regular meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, hoping to reach a declaration of principles to be presented at the U.S.-sponsored conference.

According to Fares, Fatah will have to reconsider its stance, which bans any dialogue with Hamas, if the conference fails to achieve any breakthrough on the issue of creating a Palestinian state.

"But if such a breakthrough is achieved, then Hamas has to revise itself and be more realistic in dealing with the political development," he added.

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  • 12. 0 0
    it's a conspiracy
    • yazan badran
    • 05.12.07
    • 23:45

    it's a conspiracy yes it's.. the Americans targets of this peace conference to foundation a front by the America leadership composed of Arab's and Israelis to bomb Iran and Syria ....and the big loser Arabs

  • 11. 0 0
    Fatah and Hamas
    • P. J. Casey
    • 24.09.07
    • 21:10

    I recall one Hamas official remarking that they were aware of the difficulties Islamic parties were having in Turkey, and lessons might be learned based on the Turkish experience. It is good that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are working on reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah.

  • 10. 0 0
    Past/Current ISRAELI Peace Sabotage & Fatah Talking To Hamas.
    • Proud Pal Defender
    • 23.09.07
    • 02:22

    At Some Point-- The Gaza issue (meaning the Fatah & Hamas issue)...must be resolved. THE QUESTION WASN'T IF THEY WOULD TALK, It Was Always WHEN They Would Talk-- The hope was that Abbas would register his commitment more to the peace process/the creation of a Palestinian state, which would live side by side with Israel in peace...than to what had been a failed process with Hamas (which moved the Palestinian people nowhere). Abbas-- Has OVERWHELMINGLY proven his commitment to do so...and has backed it up WITH ACTION! The Olmert/Israel/U.S. Problem-- ANY QUESTION ABOUT COMMITMENT...has been due to Olmert's (Israel's) actions, AND, the ever present question about whether the U.S. would back the peace process, OR, Israel's usual playing games/sabotaging peace (like they did with Sharon). Olmert HAS DEFINITELY TRIED: That is why Abbas, etc. have insisted on timelines & deadlines; AND Why the possibility of talks with Hamas, "sooner than later", have come about.

  • 9. 0 0
    It's getting late; before it's too late, Hamas should help to
    • Uzi
    • 23.09.07
    • 01:44

    (a) abolish the PA, (b) end the Israeli 'occupation' and (c) promote real peace. Israel should let Hamas to depose Abbas and smash Fatah, also in Judea and Samaria, on their way to abolish the PA and wipe it off the world map and consciousness. It will also open the way for the Kingdom of Jordan to take charge as the only viable nation state of all the Arabs of Greater Palestine. Having got rid of the PA, Israel and Jordan should agree on the border between them in Judea and Samaria and maybe cede Gaza to Egypt that would sort it out quite smartly.

  • 8. 0 0
    Gaza
    • Paul
    • 22.09.07
    • 23:45

    Joshua13:1,2-Now Joshua was old,and advanced in years.And the LORD said to him:"You are old,advanced in years,and there remains very much land yet to be possessed."This is the land that yet remains:all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites etc." Plus,Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite at age 85,conquered Hebron for is lot.This shows,God doesn't look on the outside,as we do!

  • 7. 0 0
    Isaiah8:12
    • Paul
    • 22.09.07
    • 23:02

    "Do not say,'A conspiracy,'concerning all that this people call a conspiracy,nor be troubled." Pagans always swap others,for their meanings of 'conspiracy'.Hence Iran and Syria's words against Israel.

  • 6. 0 0
    They already made up
    • Paul
    • 22.09.07
    • 21:11

    I saw the article last month!

  • 5. 0 0
    Give us peace?
    • Paul
    • 22.09.07
    • 21:10

    They have to get their own first and then sign an agreement etc.If Israel gave their peace,it would be,Israel to Israel agreements.Abbas,is a scared beast!

  • 4. 0 0
    Abbas/Fatah preparing for the post 'con-frence" environment
    • Mark Lincoln
    • 22.09.07
    • 19:23

    It is clear now that the only thing Abbas will bring back from Washington is a agreement to talk about talking. The Saudis and Turks are quietly attempting to reconcile Hamas and Fatah. Fatah is starting to position itself for the post 'summit' environment.

  • 3. 0 0
    Best we don't know what'll happen if NOV 15's a failure...
    • J.M.Jordan
    • 22.09.07
    • 17:50

    ...it might be much worse than all we can imagine. But IF "more than an agreement on principles though less than the definitive peace settlement" can be the written consensus then presented to all ME participants, the next step should be hearing both peoples, Palestinians and Israelis about it (ELECTIONS, resp. for the Israelis referendum). This is crucially needed if peace is to get possible at all. But it is ALSO the fairest and best solution for the unity of Palestinians. After all that has happened (futile to talk abt who was there first, the hen or the egg) THE PEOPLE must decide anew WHOM they want in charge, and that's it!!!

  • 2. 0 0
    Israel can't keep stalling for peace, lest Fatah join Hamas
    • Kevin
    • 22.09.07
    • 17:32

    We all know the script of the peace conference. Israel and US wants a photo-op to show they are doing something, but there will be no real agreement and no progress. Even Abbas knows this. This is a threat from abbas to Israel - give us peace, or we join up with Hamas. I'll bet that Israel won't deliver anything more than hot air, and Fatah does reconcile with Hamas. Then we can look forward to decades more deaths and suffering for the Palestinian people. Thanks Israel!

  • 1. 0 0
    This guy is dreaming in colour:if the Conference succeeds Hamas
    • lakshmi
    • 22.09.07
    • 15:23

    will have to be 'realistic',code word for 'surrender'.Ain't going to happen.The other scenario is the likely one.The dummy conference will produce nothing and fatah will have to team up with Hamas! The quislings are hedging their bets,scared stiff and well they should be,after abbas' treasonous conduct towards his own people.Asking doctors in Gaza to strike,violating their Hippocratic oath!Seeing to it that the crossings are kept closed,refusing to pay civil servants' salaries.Giving moral encouragement to the cabal to continue the strangulation of the Gazan economy and the siege of Gaza.