US and "Israel" - The Opposition to a Democratically Elected Hamas

Source: Forward, 13-5-2005.‏
Summary: WASHINGTON - The Bush administration "will neither recognize nor engage with" members of Hamas or Hizbullah who are elected to office unless the two groups disarm, a top American diplomat told the Forward.‏
David Satterfield, the second-ranking official at the State Department`s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, claimed that the Bush administration is not attempting to block the groups from participating in Palestinian or Lebanese elections. But, he added, the Bush administration would only recognize armed (resistance) groups "if they lay down their arms."‏
Satterfield`s comments, which appeared to overturn several earlier remarks from the American brass, come as Hamas and Hizbullah officials are vowing to hold on to their weapons.‏
With Hamas expected to win a significant share of the vote in July`s Palestinian legislative elections, the policy outlined by Satterfield could leave the White House in the position of boycotting top officials in the Palestinian Authority at a time when the Bush administration is trying to advance the peace process. The issue also could drive a deeper wedge between Washington and Europe, where some governments have indicated a willingness to deal with militants who take part in democratic elections.‏
Noting that some governments in Europe are willing to overlook the actions of such groups as they transform into political parties, Satterfield said that "there should be no place for any blessing" of these groups as long as they engage in terrorism (resistance).‏
Hamas officials are insisting that retaliation against "Israel" is a legitimate option as long as "Israel" maintains a presence in the West Bank and Gaza. Senior Hizbullah official Naim Kassem said last week that the organization intends to maintain its weapons "to defend Lebanon from the "Israeli" danger."‏
Hamas is performing strongly in the Palestinian municipal elections, which have taken place in phases during the past two months. Last week, Hamas won a majority in elections to the city council of Qalqilya, an important town in the West Bank, and to large municipal councils in Gaza.‏