Hamas Political Leader Visits Turkey

[LeftEyeNine]

ANKARA - The political leader of the Palestinian group Hamas, which won last month’s election in Palestine, arrived in Ankara Thursday, reportedly for talks with Turkish officials.

Khaled Mashaal arrived in the Turkish capital Thursday moring, though it was unclear what his schedule would be. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has not released an agenda for the visit of the exiled Palestinian political leader.

Israel has repeatedly objected to any high level talks by foreign officials with senior Hamas leaders until such time as the Palestinian group renounces terrorism and recognises the state of Israel.


http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/news/361592.asp



...Speaking in an interview with Arab television station Al Jazeera during his visit to the Turkish capital, Khaled Mashaal, the political head of Hamas, said the armed struggle against Israel would continue.

Mashaal said that he was in Ankara to pass on important messages to pass Turkish officials.

“Everywhere we go, everyone gives us advice; but we have things to say as well. This is why we are paying this visit,” he told Al Jazeera...


http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/news/361737.asp



ANKARA - The Turkish model of democracy could serve as an example for the Palestinian state, Mashaal said.

Israel was quick to condemn Thursday’s visit of Khaled Mashaal, the political leader of Hamas, saying that the trip could both harm Tel Aviv’s ties with Turkey and would do nothing to advance the peace process.

However, Gul said that Turkey was trying to do what it could to defuse tension in the region. “We need to give the right messages in order to ensure the continuation of the Middle East peace process,” he said following his meeting with Mashaal in the headquarters of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara...

http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/news/361736.asp



...Israel was deeply concerned by Turkey’s holding talks with representatives of what Tel Aviv considers a terrorist organisation, said Raanan Gissin, a spokesman for the Israeli government.

On Thursday, Khaled Meshaal, the head of the political wing of Hamas, arrived in Ankara for talks with Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.
“It is hard to understand why these people went to Turkey,” Gissin said during an interview on Turkish television. “It is a serious mistake, this visit could have consequences for our links that could be hard to repair.”


http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/news/361735.asp

[Click links for full stories]

So Hamas political leader Mashaal visited Turkey on Thursday, raising protests from Israel officially. The Turkish prime ministry made a declaration today on the matter saying that by accepting Hamas to visit, they have -to a degree- prevented Hamas from totally turning towards Iran. Following the take over of the responsibility of cooling down and being the communication bridge for the Muslim side in the recent events, I find the efforts rightful. Hamas is -at least for now- an elected government of Palestine after all -the only ones to to take serious officially from Palestine.

[A.Saturnus]

Turkey is in an uncomfortable position there. They have always had good ties with Israel, but they can't be one-sided. I think as long as they insist on the acceptance of the existence of Israel, talks are in order.


The Turkish model of democracy could serve as an example for the Palestinian state, Mashaal said.

That sounds really to good to be true. I'd rather think that the Turkish model of democracy is extremely hard to swallow for any follower of Hamas.

[Divinus Arma]

Hamas is -at least for now- an elected government of Palestine after all -the only ones to to take serious officially from Palestine.

Perhpas. But it is also a terrorist organization of boomskis.

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[LeftEyeNine]

That sounds really to good to be true. I'd rather think that the Turkish model of democracy is extremely hard to swallow for any follower of Hamas.

Considering their harsh and fanatic background and potential future, I agree with you.


Turkey is in an uncomfortable position there. They have always had good ties with Israel, but they can't be one-sided. I think as long as they insist on the acceptance of the existence of Israel, talks are in order.

Turkey generally felt uncomfortable since the birth. Remember attacks in Istanbul by AQ.

[LeftEyeNine]

Perhpas. But it is also a terrorist organization of boomskis.

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Certainly. But it is also the elected government of Palestine. If Palestine knocks your door, you have to accept Hamas in.

[A.Saturnus]

Certainly. But it is also the elected government of Palestine. If Palestine knocks your door, you have to accept Hamas in.

Well, not necessarily. You could also load your shotgun, but I agree that that wouldn't be sensible for Turkey.

[Divinus Arma]

Certainly. But it is also the elected government of Palestine. If Palestine knocks your door, you have to accept Hamas in.

If Palestine knocks on my Door, then I am in the wrong neighborhood. And no. I do not have to accept Hamas. That's like saying if Afghanistan knocks on your door, then you must have the Taliban over for lunch.

Or if 1938 Germany knocked on my door, then Hitler would be my dinner guest.

Or if...


You get the point. A. Saturnus is right. Load the shotgun.

[LeftEyeNine]

If Palestine knocks on my Door, then I am in the wrong neighborhood. And no. I do not have to accept Hamas. That's like saying if Afghanistan knocks on your door, then you must have the Taliban over for lunch.

Or if 1938 Germany knocked on my door, then Hitler would be my dinner guest.

Or if...


You get the point. A. Saturnus is right. Load the shotgun.

I think the acceptance has a point since Prime Minister Erdogan and the Spanish or Portuguese president, I don't remember well which one that was, have made a declaration in order to guide the mutual dialogue and to call for cooling down in recent events.

Taliban government is not an elected government. And Hitler generally did not try waiting to be invited for dinner. He rushed in.

And after all, Turkey is still a Muslim country trying to enter EU, we've got to listen any and everybody. A. Saturnus made a point in his first post :


Turkey is in an uncomfortable position there.

Loading the shotgun is still a choice despite being the last one.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

I think most of the West would REVEL in a Palestinian state that was as strong and stable a democracy as Turkey. I have my doubts about Hamas creating such a state -- though perhaps they can do better that the thieves of the previous regime (talk about siphoning off money....).

As a Yank, I am skeptical of Hamas, to say the least. I can see that they were duly elected, but accepting the election and choosing to deal with the government resulting are two different things. Without a renuciation of terrorism, Hamas betokens little in the way of improvement.

Still, Turkey is a nation largely populated by followers of the prophet, so I suspect they feel they owe Hamas at least the opportunity to put a good foot forward -- will see just how good and whether its worthwhile to follow up on it.

[rory_20_uk]

The IRA are IMO very similar to Hamas, and I would dearly like to see each and every current and past memeber of the IRA dead - and with those scum I'd happily pull the trigger myself without a moment's hesitation, or guilt afterwards...

But...

The British dealt with their political wing, and oh so very slowly with deaths still occurring something approaching peace and understanding has been reached.

There are many that would love for Hamas to be completely marginalised and have no incentive not to increase violence (Gadaffi gave the IRA 1 tonne of Semtex to the IRA to indirectly get at the UK). Just like the USA's proxy troops, they are an expendible and deniable way to attack Israel.

By talking and mediating although Turkey has to do the footwork of a millipede on speed the potential benefits are large and worth persuing.

And with the Taliban, so what it was not the elected power? We talk to China don't we - as well as one hell of a long list of other non - democratic states.

~:smoking:

[Adrian II]

I suppose Turkey, other European nations, Israel and the U.S. are all in more or less close contact about the issue. Because someone, somewhere has to talk to Hamas to know what they are really up to, who is really in charge, etcetera. American members should be aware that the U.S. is no stranger to talking to crooks either, even in the midst of hostilities.

Link (http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB134/)

[Divinus Arma]

If Hamas is forced to reform because of a lack of support, then good for the world. The problem is that Islamic Jihad is right there and ready to be the next nutjob organization waiting to take center stage.

[LeftEyeNine]

Hamas declared their strict unwillingness to negotiate with Israel today. I know you're bored with meaningless Turkish proverbs but :

" One may even die but but does whatever he is used to"

[Scurvy]

Hamas declared their strict unwillingness to negotiate with Israel today.


It seems that the rest of the world is unwilling to negotaite with Hamas...

[Brenus]

“If Palestine knocks your door, you have to accept Hamas in.” Euh, no. You can choose to avoid showers during few years, I am not obliged to welcome you at home… The Palestinians choose their representatives; I think they will have to accept the consequences of such choice. And Hamas will have to accept the duty given by the power.

Actually, Turkey is has a military alliance with Israel, reason why no Arab Country is now willing to attack Israel. Turkey also controls the Euphrates (Ataturck (Sp?) Dam) and with Israeli control on the Golan, a large part of the water supplies are under control of this two…

[rory_20_uk]

What I do find "unfair" is that the world is prepared to talk to North Korea (could this be due to their immense standing army and nuclear weapons?) but not Palestine (extremely weak).

Both do indirectly use the aid they receive to prop up the very institutions that we are wary/afraid of, it's just the danger inherent in one is greater than the other.

IMO there should be dialogue with Hamas. It doesn't need to go anywhere, or give anything, but keeping a line of communication to assist in reversing their hardline stance should Hammas choose to do so. The cost is extremely low compared to the possible consequences of completely isolating Hammas.

~:smoking:

[monkian]

Didn't the British Govermnet also refuse to speak to any militant Irish political parties for decades ?

Didn't get the peace process moving for long as far as I know....

[rory_20_uk]

Yes, and as can be seen it didn't help the British in the long run.

Wouldn't it be good to learn from other, rather than repeating the same mistakes time and time again?

~:smoking:

[Tribesman]

Didn't the British Govermnet also refuse to speak to any militant Irish political parties for decades ?

Nope , they were always talking to them . They make statements for the British publics consumption saying that they won't talk and will never talk , but they were always talking with them .

[Scurvy]

maybe they are talking to Hamas and just not telling us :dizzy2:

[Brenus]

It is easy to make peace with your friends. But better to do it with your enemy. Hamas will have to learn the lesson. ASAP.