US queries Putin on Hamas

The united States sought clarification today of Russia8217;s intentions in inviting the Palestinian group Hamas to Moscow for talks amid ef...

The united States sought clarification today of Russia8217;s intentions in inviting the Palestinian group Hamas to Moscow for talks amid efforts to force the militants to renounce violence before taking power.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Washington expected Russia to uphold international demands that Hamas give up armed resistance and recognise Israel8217;s right to exist after winning Palestinian elections last month. 8220;At this point we have sought some clarification from the Russians as to what exactly their intentions are, what their plans are,8221; McCormack said. He stopped short of objecting to the invitation extended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and quickly accepted by Hamas, but said the us ambassador to Moscow had contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry to learn more.

Earlier a Russian diplomat had said that the Kremlin will urge Hamas to acknowledge Israel8217;s right to exist when its leaders visit Moscow, the Interfax news agency reported.

Alexander Kalugin, a Russian Mideast envoy, said Moscow will try to persuade Hamas leaders to shun their radical programme and engage in Mideast peace efforts .

Hamas won a surprise victory in Palestinian legislative elections last month and is expected to take power in two or three months. Putin did not say whether he would like Hamas leaders to visit before or after they form a government.

Russia is a member of the so-called Quartet of Mideast peace negotiators that also includes the US, the UN and the EU. The Quartet has been the main backer of the June 2003 8216;8216;road map8217;8217; peace plan, which called for the Palestinians to renounce violence and disarm militant groups like Hamas.

Meanwhile Israel on Friday criticised Russia8217;s plan to invite Hamas leaders, saying that it undercut international pressure. Israel8217;s Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, warned in an interview with The New York Sun against what she called a 8216;8216;slippery slope8217;8217; that could lead some international powers to compromise with Hamas.

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Speaking on Israel Radio, Israeli Cabinet Minister Meir Sheetrit accused Putin of 8216;8216;stabbing Israel in the back8217;8217;.

Israeli officials said Russia8217;s move could weaken the resolve of other countries regarding contact with Hamas.