Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06STATE27174
2006-02-18 20:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

MESSAGE ON HOST COUNTRY MEETINGS WITH HAMAS

Tags:  PREL 
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O 182020Z FEB 06
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
USLO TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 027174 


E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2016
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: MESSAGE ON HOST COUNTRY MEETINGS WITH HAMAS

Classified By: A/S WELCH FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 027174


E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2016
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: MESSAGE ON HOST COUNTRY MEETINGS WITH HAMAS

Classified By: A/S WELCH FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Department requests that all embassies deliver the
following message at the highest appropriate levels. Since
its victory in January's Palestinian Legislative Council
(PLC) elections, Hamas has been reaching out to
the Arab world and beyond in an attempt to gain legitimacy
and support. In light of Hamas' February 15 meetings in
Turkey and anticipated meetings in Indonesia and possibly
elsewhere, Department provides the following guidance for
Posts whose host country appears intent on meeting with
Hamas representatives. Please report substantive
responses to the Department and slug for NEA/IPA.


2. (U) Begin points for all Posts:

-- It is important for the international community to send
a unified message regarding our expectations of a new
Palestinian government.

-- As noted by the Quartet (Russia, EU, US and UN) in its
January 30 statement, it is incumbent upon Hamas to
renounce violence, recognize the right of Israel to exist,
and abide by the Palestinian Authority's (PA) previous
agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap. Future
assistance to a new PA government will be reviewed against
its acceptance of these principles.

-- The U.S. and the EU have both designated Hamas as a
terrorist organization, and on that basis we would prefer
that governments not receive delegations from Hamas. The
United States will have no contact with Hamas whatsoever.

-- If you decide that you must receive a Hamas delegation,
we would strongly request that you use the occasion of
such a meeting only to reinforce the conditions laid out
in the Quartet statement for acceptance of a Hamas-led
Palestinian Authority and that you avoid allowing this
contact to evolve into a continuing dialogue.

-- We would also urge you not to meet with Hamas at the
political level of your government. Hamas should not be
given an opportunity to claim legitimacy by virtue of
attaining high-level meetings with your officials.

-- We expect Hamas to say it cannot meet the Quartet
principles. In response, we request that you clearly
state the consequences of this approach, including
isolation and withdrawal of donor support; denial to Hamas
of future meetings with your government; and immediate and
public announcement that Hamas refused to accept the
Quartet's conditions.

-- Having been elected, Hamas now has an obligation to the
Palestinian people to fulfill their desire for a peaceful
life--a desire that can only be realized in the context of
a negotiated two-state solution. Hamas must choose
whether it will abandon terrorism and abide by the
requirements of the international community in order to
better fulfill that obligation, and accept the
consequences of its decision. Only if we are united in
demanding that it do so can we maximize the chances for
peace.


3. (U) Minimize considered.


RICE