"Hamas won't agree on stopping smuggling weapons into Gaza because that
would mean the end of resistance."

Hamas upbeat at Cairo talks on ceasefire, Palestinian unity
Date: 03 / 02 / 2009 Time: 20:34
www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=35500

Bethlehem - Ma'an - A positive atmosphere prevails in Cairo as talks
regarding ceasefire with Israel, rebuilding Gaza and reuniting the
Palestinian government, said Hamas leader Salah Bardawil on Tuesday evening.

Speaking on the phone from Cairo, Bardawil told Ma'an, "Hamas dealt with the
Egyptian proposal regarding the ceasefire with Israel positively. However,
Hamas asked for explanations of some Israeli proposals, especially objection
to entry of certain material to the Gaza Strip which Israel claims are used
in making weapons."

Moments before he spoke Israel had bombed the Gaza Strip in at least two
places.

He also said that an agreement has been reached for form united Palestinian
committees to supervise the reconstruction of Gaza and other committees to
plan for Palestinian national reconciliation talks slated for 22 February.

"The Hamas delegation discussed three issues of ceasefire, conciliation and
rebuilding Gaza with director of Egyptian intelligence Omar Suleiman," said
Bardawil.

Israel's conditions, Hamas' responses

According to Bardawil, Israel is offering to allow 75% of the goods
currently banned from entering Gaza in exchange for the release of captive
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The remaining 25% are goods Israel says could
be used to make weapons.

"We have no objection to ceasefire in exchange for lifting the siege and
opening crossing points. We don't oppose addressing Shalit case in tandem
with ceasefire negotiations, but we asked for explanations about the nature
of this material Israel won't let in," he added asserting that his movement
would be ready for a prisoner exchange with Israel from tomorrow.

Bardawil added that Hamas would, as a part of a ceasefire, agree to stop
firing projectiles into Israel. However, he said Hamas asked for Egypt's
help in convincing other factions to restrain themselves.

With regard to Israel's demand that Hamas stop smuggling through tunnels
under the Gaza-Egypt border, he said Hamas' response is that Hamas is not a
state and would need states' cooperation to clamp down on smuggling.

However, he explained, "Hamas won't agree on stopping smuggling weapons into
Gaza because that would mean the end of resistance."

'Politics should not interfere in rebuilding Gaza'

According to Bardawil, Hamas told the Egyptians that the reconstruction of
Gaza must be depoliticized. The group suggested that Hamas, Fatah, and the
other factions form united committees to oversee the construction. Another
option would be a nonpartisan commission of human rights experts and other
technocrats who would coordinate the reconstruction with the donor states.

He highlighted that the reconstruction mechanism would be at announced a
donor states' conference to be held in Cairo on 2 March.

Hamas-Fatah reconciliation

Bardawil pointed out that Egypt intends to invite Palestinian factions to a
meeting on 22 February to clarify how national reconciliation will proceed.
He said five committees will be formed to deal with specific aspects of the
internal Palestinian conflict, including security and the structure of the
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The committees will start operating with assistance of an Arab committee
which will help create a 'positive atmosphere,' he said.

He concluded by saying that Hamas asked the Egyptians to form a legal
committee to follow up on the Palestinian Authority's arrests of Hamas
members in the West Bank.