Abbas: Effort on Gov't Is 'Back to Zero' (AP)

[Eugene]

Abbas: Effort on Gov't Is 'Back to Zero'

By MAGGIE MICHAEL
The Associated Press
Saturday, September 23, 2006; 9:42 AM

CAIRO, Egypt -- Efforts to form a Palestinian government acceptable to the
West have gone "back to zero," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said
Saturday, a day after Hamas said a coalition government that recognizes Israel
is unacceptable.

The Islamic militant group has ruled alone since March, but this month agreed
to share power with Abbas' moderate Fatah Party in hopes of ending a crippling
international aid boycott of the Palestinian Authority.

-snip-

At the United Nations on Thursday, Abbas indicated a national unity government
would recognize the Jewish state. But Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh
from the Islamic militant Hamas group declared the next day that he would not
lead a coalition that recognizes Israel.

Abbas said Saturday during a visit to Cairo that "backtracking took place"
on the negotiations for a unity government with Hamas.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/23/AR2006092300258.html