Hamas plans independent economy

"Bombs'R'us" ??

 

Let's help them become more economically independent and pull all American funds from them. BTW, speaking of which, I know that Condi said that we were going to do that. Have we actually done that yet or was that all talk?

Joseph Botwinick

 

Q. Why aren't the Hamas-electing Palestinians immediately cut off from all U.S. funding of what they decided to elect, a terrorist government whose leaders have again refused to abandon its call for the destruction of Israel?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, a couple of things, Les, and Secretary Rice has talked about this; the President talked about it earlier today. We will not -- we do not and we will not fund a terrorist organization. We will not fund an organization that advocates the destruction of Israel. We will not fund an organization that engages in terror. Hamas has choices to make. They need to renounce their platform calling for the destruction of Israel. They need to reject terror.

We have been very clear on our views. So has the international community. The Quartet has been very clear in their views, as well, putting out a statement. And Secretary Rice is meeting with the Quartet in London to talk about the way forward when it comes to these issues. And in terms of our assistance programs, our assistance programs will be reviewed with that key principle in mind, that we will not fund a terrorist organization. We can not be clearer --

Q. "Reviewed"? What about now, right now, to stop the money right now, the millions going --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, right now we believe it's important for President Abbas to continue to remain engaged in the peace process, and indications are that he intends to do that, from what we've seen in recent days and in terms of his comments. And we will see how the new government forms. At this point, it's in the process of forming. And as we've said, if Hamas is the new government, we will not fund a terrorist organization. The President couldn't be clearer --

Q. "If"? You're implying there is any doubt that Hamas is going to be the government.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think there's a level of uncertainty in the political system in the Middle East right now, and in the Palestinian Territories. And so we'll see how that plays out.

Q. Is the peace process then, is it stalemated, is it set back, is it broken? Where is the peace process now, given this whole election?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, as we indicated the other day, we believe very strongly that the Palestinian people want a peaceful life, that they want to live in peace. The way to get to peace is the two-state vision that the President outlined. That's why there are discussions going on with the Quartet and others about how to move forward. And that's why we continue to encourage President Abbas to stay in office and remain engaged in the process. He is someone who has expressed a commitment to peace.

The election, as we talked about the other day, had much more to do with fighting corruption and responding to the needs of the people. The President talked about that in his remarks the other day. Remember, when it comes to elections, elections are the beginning of the process, not the end of the process. So we are going to continue working to achieve peace, and working with all those who want to be a partner in peace. But you can't be a partner in peace if you advocate the destruction of a neighbor, and if you advocate the use of terror, the use of attacking innocent civilians.

Q. Do you consider this, then, a setback for peace at this point?

MR. McCLELLAN: Freedom is advancing. Again, elections are the beginning of the process. We congratulate the Palestinian people for conducting a successful election that was peaceful. And we are going to continue to work with our partners and others and support people in the region as they move forward to achieve peace.

- www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060130-2.html#o

 

IOW,

It was nothing but empty hollow words. Typical. Condi and crew need to stop dancing around the issue and put their actions where their mouths are.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Just exactly how would you put it Joseph?

 

I would stop with the empty words and actually do it. Cut the funding now. How about you?

Joseph Botwinick

 

They are beholden to their leader, Joseph. GW has the final say. And you're right - the words were hollow, just as I figured they would be. No surprise.

Nice sound bytes, though.

 

You're right. GW and friends need to put up or shut up.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Has Bush and Friends withdrawn all funding from the Palestinians yet?

Joseph Botwinick

 

Not that I've heard. Talk is cheap.

 

right on, LE.

Joseph Botwinick

 

'Defending US pressures for reform in the Arab world, the US Secretary of State said, "Some people say that America seeks to arrange the political situation in a way that suits it. But, in reality, we are committed to democracy as a principle regardless of who wins in elections." She pointed out that continued openness will allow moderate movements to emerge and grow and emphasized that election winners are obliged to guarantee the continuation of the democratic process that brought them to power.

Rice denied that the US administration will cut off aid to the Palestinians but indicated "When the matter is related to backing a government run by a movement classified as terrorist, the US administration cannot offer its support."

She revealed that the international community expected Hamas to "commit itself to non-violence and to Palestinian obligations that have exited for a long time regarding the peace process."'

- SOURCE

 

Flip Flop.

Bush, Condi, and friends are stupid if they think Hamas is going to commit itself to non-violence without any form of reciprocity or accountability. Yet another reason Condi is a mediocre SOS.

Joseph Botwinick