From: George Sherwood 

On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 20:44:10 +0000, Adam wrote:

> http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/676654.html
>
> "The world should not cut off aid to the Palestinians after Hamas's
> shock victory in the Palestinian legislative election, Russian President
> Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
>
> "The election of Hamas was a great blow to American efforts in the
> Middle East. A very serious blow," he told a news conference.
>
> Hamas should "refrain from extremist declarations, acknowledge Israel's
> right to exist and put its contacts with the international community in
> order," Putin said.
>
> "Russia has never declared Hamas a terrorist organization, but it
> doesn't mean we support and accept everything Hamas has done and all the
> statements it has made."
>
> Putin said Russia, a member of the Quartet, expected Hamas to recognize
> Israel's existence and abandon its radical position, but that it would
> not support cutting off aid to the Palestinians.
>
> "A refusal to help the Palestinian people would be mistaken," he said.
>
> Putin called on Hamas to engage in peaceful dialogue, and said Russia's
> position on the Middle East differed from that of the United States and
> Europe."
>
> East splits from west....
>
I think being played up more then is there.  He is saying that they need to
acknowledge Israel's right to exist.  I also want to go look at the Russian
when he is talking about a great blow to American efforts. Interesting to
see what words he choose.  I don't see it that way.  It could be a blow to
the whole peace process as it stands now.  Who knows where it will head.

They make many statements like on Iran and now they back taking the case to
the Security Council.  I don't read it all as a war like you do.

George

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