U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stated Wednesday that the United States would not finance or participate in contacts with a government run by Palestinian Authority (PA) Arabs that included Hamas unless it would renounce violence and recognize Israel. Clinton furthermore stated that three conditions, which were adopted by the international community, would have to be fulfilled before the US would deal with a PA that includes Hamas.
"We will not deal with nor in any way fund a Palestinian government that includes Hamas unless and until Hamas has renounced violence, recognized Israel and agrees to follow the previous obligations of the Palestinian Authority," Clinton told the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.
Clinton’s appearance in the House of Representatives was the first since her confirmation hearings in January.
Regarding the diplomatic process between Israel and the PA, Clinton said that Washington is actively involved in assisting the sides in arriving at a two-state solution.
US Running Dual Diplomacy towards Iran
Clinton told the Washington lawmakers that the Obama administration is running a dual-track program in its persuading Iran to prevent its development of nuclear weaponry.
“We are more than willing to reach out to the Iranians to discuss a range of issues,” should Tehran reciprocate, Clinton stated. However, if all else fails, Clinton said that the U.S. would implement sanctions towards Iran. “We are also laying the groundwork for the kind of very tough sanctions, I think you said crippling sanctions, that might be necessary in the event that our offers are either rejected or the process is inconclusive or unsuccessful,” Clinton added.
Iran said Wednesday that it is open to “constructive dialogue” with world powers regarding its nuclear ambitions. However, chief nuclear negotiator Said Jalili told Iranian news agencies that Iran would not halt its nuclear program.
Last week, Ahmadinejad stated that Iran would present a package of proposals to a group of permanent members of the UN’s Security Council who favor dialogue with Iran. The package, a revamp of Iran’s proposals offered in May 2008, would be presented as “solving the world’s problems” – including the setting-up of a uranium enrichment facility and nuclear fuel manufacturing plant in Iran.