France Backs Putin on Speaking to Hamas - New York Times

France Backs Putin on Speaking to Hamas - New York Times

'" France on Friday endorsed Russia's decision to hold talks on the Middle East conflict with Hamas, the radical Islamist Palestinian group, saying the discussion "can contribute to advancing our positions."'

"Other European countries distanced themselves from the French statement, which appeared to be in defiance of the American and European view that Hamas is a terrorist organization and therefore should not be officially recognized. Israel condemned it."

The U.S. approach was to say, '"Our position is not to tell the whole world that they can't talk to Hamas,"' and '"The issue is less who's talking than what they are saying."'

Not a bad stance by the U.S., but France and Russia, especially France needs to begin to realize that talking for the sake of talking and the appearance that this somehow resolves issues itself doesn't always work and is not an accomplishment.

Hamas is a terrorist organization and that needs to not be forgotten even if you are Jacques Chirac.