Carter: Hamas Critical To Mideast Peace

DAMASCUS, Syria — Former President Jimmy Carter Thursday reiterated that there can be no peace between Israel and the Palestinians without involving the militant group Hamas.

His comments came shortly before he met with the militant group's Syrian-based leader, Khaled Mashaal. Carter met with Mashaal twice under the Bush administration, angering some in the U.S. government who said he was legitimizing a group the U.S. considers a terrorist organization.

But this was his first meeting under the Obama administration, which has launched a fresh quest for peace in the Middle East, and came as Obama's Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, was less than 400 miles (645 kilometers) away in Cairo preparing to visit Syria Friday.

Carter, who went to Syria after observing elections in neighboring Lebanon, stressed that he was in Damascus as a private citizen and not representing the Obama administration.

Obama, also a Democrat, seems to be going in the direction that Carter has long advocated _ engagement with longtime foes Iran and Syria. So far Obama, like the Bush administration, has drawn the line at meeting with Hamas. But in a speech in Cairo last week, Obama seemed to suggest some basis for believing that Palestinian militants who rule Gaza might be drawn into the peace process.

As president, Carter helped broker an Israeli-Egyptian peace deal in the late 1970s and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote peace around the world. He has continued to pursue Mideast peace through his Atlanta, Georgia-based Carter Center foundation, and angered many Israelis for his 2006 book that compared Israel's policies toward the Palestinians in the West Bank to apartheid.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, Carter said Hamas and its more moderate Fatah rivals must reconcile so they can negotiate effectively with Israel.

"I don't believe there is a possibility to have any peace between the Palestinians and Israel unless Hamas is involved directly in harmony with Fatah," he said.

Carter said Obama's pressure on Israel to freeze construction in West Bank settlements is an essential step toward restarting peace efforts.

He said Israel is "very eager to avoid any serious disagreement or confrontation" with the U.S. and that Obama's push for a two-state solution would be seriously considered by Israel.

Carter also plans meetings in Israel and the West Bank over the weekend.

Syria's official news agency reported that Assad discussed with Carter ways to reactivate the peace process and stressed that Damascus is committed to peace that guarantees the return of Arab rights.

Syria wants Israel to relinquish the Golan Heights it captured in the 1967 Mideast war. Syrian-Israeli indirect talks through Turkey have been on hold since Israel launched an offensive on Gaza in December.

Turkey said Thursday it is prepared to restart mediation efforts but is waiting for both countries to signal their readiness to resume talks.

Comments

[Academic]

Jimmy Carter is talking a lot of sense, as it's the only way forward. You can't expect to reach any lasting settlement while continually ostracising and excluding a significant section of the Palestinian population because powerful elements in the US and Israel and even the EU don't like what they represent - unfettered independence from western colonialism and unwarranted interference in their domestic and foreign affairs.

What saddens me is that Carter didn't have the bottle when he was president to do what he is now advocating. Better late than never I suppose. But little comfort for all those Palestinians and others who've been killed in the interim.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[dteg]

Carter is correct but why don't these leaders exercise the power when they hold the office. Isn't this the same adminstration that UN ambassdor Andrew Young had to resign for just speaking to the PLO at the UN. Glad he has come around when he left office but we need great leadership during the time a person has the power.

[arle]

I agree with you but there do seem to be political systems in place -- especially within the Democratic Party -- that discourages people from doing what is right if it's at all controversial. I only say that because Republicans seem to be able to do or say whatever they want, regardless (and often, in spite of) even of moral strictures.

[skialethia]

Carter is a realist, Israelis live in denial, the truth hurts....” All great truths begin as blasphemies”. George Bernard Shaw

[Macready]

Carter is so right . . . Hamas must be at the negotiating table . . . he is our best living former Prez

[Magdalena]

'without involving the militant group Hamas'

First of all the there are 2 factions of Hamas, one military the other political. It was the political wing that won the Palestinian election.

I will be really glad when we stop putting adjectives in front of Hamas such as "the militant group". That is unless journalist also say things like "the beligerant country Israel".

[zukervati]

Here, here! We negotiated with the Soviets, the Chinese and even the North Koreans! We can't let our nation's agenda be driven by the same neo-CONs.

[Turtleposer]

As in all things in life, you can't pick & choose whom you want to deal with. You deal with the people and leaders who are currently in power, not the leaders you wish were in power.

This isn't fantasy football.

[super]

Very true. To paraphrase Rumsfeld: you engage in diplomacy with the leaders you have, not with those you wish you had!

[CigarGod]

Have a cigar!

[whocan]

He never fails to justify being the worst ever

[alexa07]

Surprised? Another good AP article that doesn't have its characteristic pro-Israeli frame that almost always tells us the news from the Israeli perspective, rather than anyone else in the region. Bravo to AP! Bravo also to President Carter whose sincerity & good works for all humanity always shine through. In particular, his two recent books on the region are helping to create a difference in public opinion about Palestine, esp. in the USA.

[pgmark]

Jimmy has no credibility he has been bought and paid for by Arab interests.
All that needs to be said!

[jordanispalestine]

Carter has no street cred on this matter! Would YOU-any poster here-negotiate with a group or person SWORN to exterminate you and your family??? Didn't think so!

[James Redmond]

You have a peaceful alternative? Communication is understandably the only way forward out from stagnancy. His credentials are vast, check them out before referring to what you obviously had not.

[Eusebio]

If it meant that my family could live in peace and it would make the world a better place, I most certainly would.

[super]

So was the PLO and Arafat until a few years ago (committed to the destruction of Israel), but Israel negotiated with them nevertheless. Both Anwar-el Sadat and Menachem Begin were considered terrorists by the British authorities in Palestine. Each went on to head a national government, make peace with each other (brokered by Carter) and win a Nobel prize. Diplomacy is the art of the possible.

[Turtleposer]

So, then you should attack and kill 1300 people so they don't kill you? Who's doing the real killing here?

[skialethia]

And since were into fantasy geography: IsraelisEasternBlock.

[ModernTimes1]

He was a naive southerner when president, and the old age didn't improve him much

[arle]

But Bush? Bush is OK in your books, apparently.

[jordanispalestine]

Carter remains a shill for all Arab causes and is very anti -Israel ! the best chance for peace in the Middle East is for Hamas to be banished by the PA and the Arab street. Until Carter understands Hamas has the extermination of Israel as a goal in its charter, there is no sense listening to what he has to say on this subject. Jimmy....continue your Habitat for Humanity projects...as you have lost all credibiity on this subject..In closing, please be advised that the Carter Center in Atlanta gets over 60% of its funding from Arab States. That's why one of its Directors, Dr. Kenneth Stein, a ME expert , quit his position there!! Mr. Carter...the facts on the ground are proof you have no clue when you call for the terrorist group of Hamas to be included in negotiations. Those negotiations would last about 30 seconds! should America negotiate with Al- Qaeda, another terrorist group, Mr. Carter??

[NourCA]

Carter is a humanitarian.

[batguano]

President Carter has done more for our republic and position in the world than Dubya did in 8 years as prez. and he deserves our great thanks and respect. He is anathema to the pro-Israel lobby and the extremist settlers, as well as the Israeli fifth-columnist lobbyists like AIPAC, et al. They do our nation a great disservice by pushing for the agenda and benefit of a foreign government and extremists at OUR expense. Our respect and future should not be tied to the brutal aggression, racism, state terrorism, ethnic cleansing or illegal colonization being committed by Israel.

[NotMcCain]

So true. He is a great man, a great representative of America to the world.

He is also a wingnut hate-magnet. I posted a favorable review of his latest book at Amazon and almost immediately 50 people showed up to rated the review "Not Helpful".

This was consistent with the many "1 star=lowest" reviews posted by the Carter haters. It was disheartening to see such a courageous man of peace so reviled by conservatives who (1) don't know anything about the Middle East situation and (2) don't even bother to read the book..

[jordanispalestine]

No-he was weak with the Arabs and they stomp all over him!