Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT425
2006-02-07 10:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
PARLIAMENT SPEAKER URGES USG TO "GIVE HAMAS A
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHKU #0425 0381023 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 071023Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2912 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000425
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAL KU
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT SPEAKER URGES USG TO "GIVE HAMAS A
CHANCE"
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
(C) In a February 6 meeting with the Ambassador, National
Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi argued that Hamas'
election "could be a blessing in disguise" and repeatedly
urged the USG to "give democracy a chance." He said the
election presented a "unique opportunity for a peaceful
resolution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and claimed
Hamas, if it agreed to negotiate, could "sell" any peace deal
it reached with Israel, whereas Fatah could not. Al-Khorafi
encouraged the U.S. to let Hamas form a government and take
real political responsibility; being in leadership is much
more difficult than being in opposition, he observed. Once
in power Hamas would be forced to seek peace with Israel or
risk losing essential "facilities" provided by the Israelis
and angering the Palestinian people, Al-Khorafi claimed.
Insisting that the U.S. should "give Hamas a chance," he
said, "I don't think you have another option." The
Ambassador noted that the USG had been very clear under what
conditions it would deal with Hamas and that the
"opportunity" presented by Hamas' election depended on Hamas'
willingness to alter its policies. Meanwhile, he said, we
are taking steps to address the humanitarian needs of the
Palestinian people and encourage our friends like Kuwait to
help as well.
*********************************************
Visit EMBASSY Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website
*********************************************
LeBaron
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAL KU
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT SPEAKER URGES USG TO "GIVE HAMAS A
CHANCE"
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
(C) In a February 6 meeting with the Ambassador, National
Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi argued that Hamas'
election "could be a blessing in disguise" and repeatedly
urged the USG to "give democracy a chance." He said the
election presented a "unique opportunity for a peaceful
resolution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and claimed
Hamas, if it agreed to negotiate, could "sell" any peace deal
it reached with Israel, whereas Fatah could not. Al-Khorafi
encouraged the U.S. to let Hamas form a government and take
real political responsibility; being in leadership is much
more difficult than being in opposition, he observed. Once
in power Hamas would be forced to seek peace with Israel or
risk losing essential "facilities" provided by the Israelis
and angering the Palestinian people, Al-Khorafi claimed.
Insisting that the U.S. should "give Hamas a chance," he
said, "I don't think you have another option." The
Ambassador noted that the USG had been very clear under what
conditions it would deal with Hamas and that the
"opportunity" presented by Hamas' election depended on Hamas'
willingness to alter its policies. Meanwhile, he said, we
are taking steps to address the humanitarian needs of the
Palestinian people and encourage our friends like Kuwait to
help as well.
*********************************************
Visit EMBASSY Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website
*********************************************
LeBaron