Russia's Lavrov to meet Hamas:

[Fillmore]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday he would personally meet Hamas leaders when they visit Moscow this week -- a higher level reception for the Palestinian group than many observers expected.


"Talks with the Hamas delegation will take place in Moscow, and I will receive them," he was quoted by Russian news agencies as telling reporters in Budapest of talks set for Friday.

Russia's invitation to the group, whose charter calls for
Israel's destruction, has upset Israel and the United States by challenging their campaign to isolate Hamas unless it renounces violence and recognizes the Jewish state's right to exist.

Despite Washington's nervous reaction to the Hamas visit, successful mediation in the Middle East could boost the international prestige of President
Vladimir Putin, who made the surprise invitation earlier this month.

Lavrov has said Russia at the talks will tell Hamas that it must commit to seeking peace with Israel to win international acceptance -- the joint position of the quartet of Middle East mediators, which also includes the
United Nations, the
European Union and Washington.

Israel on Tuesday softened criticism of the visit, which it had previously likened to "stabbing Israel in the back," with acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert saying he believed Putin was a friend of Israel.

Hamas won a surprise victory in Palestinian elections on January 25.

[-thetruth_]

I don't understand this sickening double standard western politics????
hamas has been democratically elected. shouldn't the west just shut their Gobs and accept them? or everyone has to like the evil zionist state in order to breath Air?

[Fillmore]

By Allyn Fisher-Ilan

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel backed off its harsh criticism of Russia on Tuesday ahead of Moscow's talks with leaders of Hamas following the Islamist militant group's victory in Palestinian elections.

Israel's interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met top officials to review policy toward Russia after it invited Hamas for March 3 talks which are to take place at a higher level than expected, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov quoted by Russian news agencies as saying he will personally take part.

Russia's move challenged Israel's U.S.-backed efforts to isolate Hamas unless it recognizes the Jewish state, but Olmert toned down Israel's earlier criticism of Moscow over the talks.

He said in a statement after his policy review discussions that Israel's ties with Russia "are important and ways must be found to improve them and tighten the understanding".

Russia's President Vladimir Putin was a friend of Israel and would not act against Israel's interests, Olmert added in a statement.

Previously, Israeli officials have warned that the Moscow meeting threatened peacemaking prospects and accused Russia of "stabbing Israel in the back".

Russia has said it would tell Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel's destruction, that it must commit to seeking peace with Israel to win international acceptance.

Israel has threatened to sever ties with a Palestinian government headed by Hamas and has already frozen a handover of tax revenues after Hamas was sworn into parliament and asked to head a government after its surprise win of the January 25 poll.

The next tax revenue payment would normally have been made on March 1.

Washington and the European Union have also threatened to cut all but humanitarian aid unless Hamas recognizes the Jewish state, renounces violence and accepts past peace deals.

[-thetruth_]

typical Zionist . they only care about themselves. **** alayhom