From Ynet News 9/2/06. . .
... Putin remarks that Hamas is not terror organization after Russian president tells press conference in Madrid he intends on inviting group leaders to Moscow in near future; Hamas official says group would accept invitation
..."Russia is maintaining contacts with the Hamas organization and intends in the near future to invite the leadership of this organization to Moscow," Putin was quoted as telling a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid, where he was on a visit.
Putin reiterated that Russia does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization, and urged the global community to work with a Hamas-led Palestinian government.
"Hamas has arrived at the doors of power through legitimate elections," Putin said. "We must respect the Palestinian people and we have to look for solutions for the Palestinian people, for the international community, and also for Israel. Contacts with Hamas must continue."
Putin's declaration contradicts the stance presented by Moscow so far at the international Quartet discussions. His stance also comes as a surprise after he had expressed a firm position in the past about not talking to the terror groups that carried out the bombings in Moscow. Now he is inviting a group recognized as a terror organization by the world to visit his country....
Ali Waked and Roee Nahmias contributed to the report
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