O 171122Z FEB 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0446
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
WHITE HOUSE NSC
SECDEF WASHDC
DIA WASHDC
CIA WASHDC
DA WASHINGTON DC//DAS-ZD/DACS-ZK//
CSAF WASHINGTON DC//POLAD//
CMC WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC//POLAD//
INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY TUNIS
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY ROME
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 000723
STATE PASS BBG
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
NSC FOR ABRAMS
CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD
JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD
LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU
PARIS ALSO FOR POL
ROME FOR MFO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS
SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (2/17): HAMAS IN A NEW
PALESTINIAN GOVERNMENT
------------
MAIN STORIES
------------
The top story in the main three Palestinian dailies
concerned Israel's threat to impose strict economic
sanctions on Palestinians and their Hamas-led government.
Reports noted that Acting Israeli Prime Minister Olmert is
expected to decide Friday exactly which steps Israel will
take in response to Hamas's rise to power within the
Palestinian Authority (PA). One such measure would involve
freezing the transfer of tax revenues which Israel collects
for the PA.
Al-Quds also reported on its front page that the U.S. Senate
issued a decision to halt direct U.S. aid to the PA if it is
controlled by a Hamas-led government that continues to call
for the destruction of Israel. The report added the Bush
administration is currently re-assessing its aid programs to
Palestinians in light of Hamas's electoral victory.
All dailies reported that Hamas is in the process of
choosing its representatives to the new government, and has
not yet made any final decisions. Hamas leader Isma'il
Haniyeh denied rumors that he had been nominated as prime
minister, and said that "such an important position requires
consultations between leaders in the Palestinian
Territories, in prisons, and in exile." Haniyeh added that
an official decision will be made public once it is reached.
The papers also reported that a Hamas delegation is
currently visiting Ankara, but noted that according to a
Turkish press official, Turkish Prime Minister Ordogan is
not expected to meet with the delegation.
Pro-Hamas weekly Al-Risala gave top billing to news that
Hamas will refuse to recognize the Roadmap and insist on a
fully sovereign Palestinian state. The weekly quoted
Hamas's media spokesperson Salah Bardawil as saying that
Hamas has nominated Dr. Aziz Dweik from the West Bank to be
the next PLC speaker. According to Al-Risala, dozens of
Fatah-affiliated armed groups were enlisted to join the
Palestinian security forces.
Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida front-paged photos of PA
President Abbas in Ramallah during his meeting with EU
Foreign Policy Coordinator Solana. Solana was quoted as
saying that Europe will continue to support the Palestinian
economy but will not make any contact with Hamas.
Al-Ayyam reported that two U.S. officials -- Assistant
Secretary of State David Welch and Deputy National Security
Advisor Elliott Abrams -- will visit the area next week for
discussions with Palestinian and Israeli officials on the
next steps involved in dealing with the "new reality" of a
Hamas-led government.
------------
BLOCK QUOTES
------------