[NYTr] Hamas Willing to talk to Int'l Community

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Hamas Willing to Talk with Int'l Community

Gaza, Aug 13 (Prensa Latina) The Islamic movement Hamas is willing to
hold frank talks with the international community as suggested by
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri
said on Monday.

Israel, in turn, expressed concern about Prodi's statements.

The head of the Italian government pointed out on Sunday that in order
to achieve a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict, dialogue
with all parties involved was necessary, including the Islamic movement
and Syria.

Hamas cannot be a taboo word. If you want to comply with tough peace
efforts, it is necessary to negotiate with all parties involved, Prodi
noted.

Prodi's statements raised astonishment and concern in the Israeli
government, Foreign Ministry Director General Aaron Abramovich told
state radio.

Hamas has not changed and if it did, there is no reason for the
international community to award it with negotiations, the official
said.

Israeli President Shimon Peres proposed the Palestine National
Authority (PNA) a plan to release all Palestine prisoners in Israel in
return for complying with a package of security measures.

In statements to the newspaper Maariv, Peres said the plan is much more
efficient than the simple transfer of the occupied territories to the
PNA, because its leaders cannot control them.

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