Message to Obama
Photo: AP
Volcker – Wants talks with Hamas
Photo: AP
Obama aide: Talk to Hamas
Economic Advisor Volcker, nine former senior American officials urge Obama Administration to change stance on Hamas, engage in talks with organization, Boston Globe reports
WASHINGTON - Economic Recovery Adviser Paul A. Volcker and nine former senior American officials have urged President Barack Obama to engage in dialogue with Hamas leaders, the Boston Globe reported Saturday.
According to the report, the group of former US officials includes former National Security Advisers Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski. In a letter handed to Obama before he took office, the officials called on the president to look into the possibility of convincing Hamas to disarm and join a peaceful Palestinian government.
"I see no reason not to talk to Hamas," Scowcroft, who was national security adviser to President George H.W. Bush, told the Boston Globe.
The timing of the letter's publication is apparently not coincidental, as the group is expected to meet soon to discuss its position and is interested in meeting with Obama in the near future to present their views on the matter.
Other former officials who signed the letter include former United Nations and Israel Ambassador Tomas Pickering and Former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, who served as a special envoy to the Middle East. Former Republican Senators Chuck Hagel and Nancy Baker also signed the letter.
The contents of the letter have not been made public for the time being, but its writers reportedly plan to make their views public in the coming days.
