British MPs want gov't to engage Hamas

            British legislators on Sunday urged the government to engage in talks with "moderate elements" within Hamas, saying that the Quartet's policy of shunning the Palestinian group until it accepts previous understandings with Israel, renounces violence and comes to terms with Israel's existence, had proven to be counterproductive. The Foreign Affairs Committee in Britain's House of Commons issued a report Sunday in which it reiterated a request to talk to Hamas initially made two years ago. "We conclude that there continue to be few signs that the current policy of nonengagement is achieving the Quartet's stated objectives," the committee stated in the report. "We further conclude that the credible peace process, for which the Quartet hopes as part of its strategy for undercutting Hamas, is likely to be difficult to achieve without greater cooperation from Hamas itself." The committee further stated its concern over the Quartet's "failure" to offer Hamas greater incentives to soften its position, emphasizing that British willingness to talk to the rulers of the Gaza Strip would encourage the group to live up to the demands of the Quartet. (22,11)