Israel Matzav

Russian foreign minister: Quartet demands on Hamas 'unrealistic'

In an interview with the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA which was posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's Web site Saturday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that the quarter demands on Hamas are 'unrealistic' at the present stage and that Hamas needs 'more time.'

Demanding now that Hamas fully accept the quartet's conditions, such as the recognition of Israel, the renunciation of violence against Israel, and the acceptance of all existing agreements is unrealistic at the present stage.

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Lavrov added that the ruling Palestinian movement could "move gradually toward accepting these conditions."

He criticized unidentified members of the quartet of "trying to influence this process by making excessive demands, excessive at the present stage."

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He said Russian leaders told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who visited Moscow last week, that the international community should start by encouraging Hamas to acknowledge all existing peace agreements and recognize President Mahmoud Abbas, of the rival Fatah movement, as the only international negotiator for the Palestinians.

"That would be a very important step in the direction we all want," Lavrov said.

Do you all understand that? Expecting Hamas to 'recognize' Israel or renounce violence is unrealistic and will take more time. How much more time? Until hell freezes over?

But give them their state reichlet and maybe they'll think about it. Is Lavrov stupid or does he think we are?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:45 PM