U.S., EU seek to include Hamas in peace process
By Akiva Eldar Haareta 28 June 2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1096045.html

The American government and the European Union are making efforts to include
Hamas in a broader diplomatic effort that would include a long-term
cease-fire with Israel, reconciliation among Palestinian factions and
support for renewed negotiations with Israel on the basis of the Arab peace
initiative.

A deal is reportedly being formulated for the transfer of abducted Israeli
soldier Gilad Shalit to Egypt, under the assumption that this would
encourage Israel to agree to a deal with Hamas that would include the
release of Palestinian prisoners and opening border crossings. A European
diplomatic source told Haaretz yesterday that talks about manifesting the
deal were held secretly until late last week, and only four persons were
privy to the details of the talks. Israel was not a party to the effort.

Last week Israeli sources denied knowledge of any developments or plans to
transfer Shalit to Egypt, a matter that Arab, and particularly Palestinian
sources, gave much attention to in their reports. Israel has downplayed
reports of a pending breakthrough in the Shalit case, and Israeli officials
urged caution and noted that Shalit's release has been undermined in the
past by too many public statements.

According to the Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Hayat reporting from Damascus, a
U.S. official visiting Syria two weeks ago said that "the Hamas leadership
has recently made important and interesting statements." The official added
that the U.S. is following the Hamas stance and hopes that the group will
alter its views and adopt a two-state solution.

Meanwhile, four senior Republican and Democratic figures, including former
president Jimmy Carter and former secretary of state James Baker, called on
President Barack Obama to initiate a dialogue with Hamas without delay.
Speaking during interviews organized by the Foundation for Middle East
Peace, Baker said that just like the U.S. found a way to begin dialogue with
the PLO, it must do so with Hamas. Baker noted that it is impossible to make
peace with people if you are unwilling to talk with them.

Former national security adviser under President George H.W. Bush, Brent
Scowcroft, said that if the peace process moves forward, the U.S. will urge
Hamas to become part of it in order to avoid isolation.

The elder statesmen expressed their full support for the Obama
administration's policies in the Middle East, and agreed that the peace
process will not be able to move forward without active American involvement
on all levels of negotiations. They also said that an end to Arab-Israeli
hostilities is essential for achieving the strategic goals of the U.S. in
the Middle East.