News Middle East Kerry shuns Hamas during Gaza visit

[babsbunny]

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/02/2009219135025156298.html



The US will not change its stance towards Hamas, John Kerry, the former democratic US presidential candidate, has said during a tour of Gaza.

His comments came on Thursday during the highest-level visit by a US official to the territory since Hamas seized control two years ago.

"I am here to listen with the UN personnel on the ground to hear ... the things we need to do is to improve the situation in the region," he said.

[blm]

1. That headline is not accurate. Kerry said US policy towards Hamas is not changed, but his message

to leaders in the region, including Syria's Assad, is that he wants them to be ACTIVE in seeking a solution for the region WITH the US. Something he has communicated in his meetings with Assad over the last few years Bush shunned Syria, and now with Obama as President, Kerry can move forward with these communications and actually ATTAIN some positive results.

BTW - Kerry is not allowed to change policy - that only comes from the President, who has yet to negotiate in the region. Kerry is there laying groundwork because he's considered an honest broker on their issues.

[theoldman]

2. Shunning Hamas is a big mistake.

Like it or not Hamas is the ruling party in Gaza. Nothing can be resolved if the US does not communicate with Hamas. On the other hand we may never know what went on during Kerry's trip.