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Source: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127355602033
Israel, Quartet Disagree on Hamas Role
(Jerusalem Post) Herb Keinon - Neither the U.S. nor the rest of the Quartet are as adamant as Israel about Hamas not taking part in the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections. On Wednesday, David Welch, the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, said, "It's an obligation under the road map that the Palestinian Authority should take steps to dismantle terror organizations. We consider Hamas to be a terror organization. So regardless if they were having a municipal election next week or legislative elections in January, that obligation is therein before them." Welch noted that Hamas members have already been elected to municipal councils and are in "government already in the Palestinian territory." Welch said that American law precludes any contact with Hamas.