The United States will continue to offer humanitarian aid to the
Palestinians despite a stance taken by the ruling Islamic Resistance Movement
(Hamas), visiting U.S.Assistant Secretary of State David Welch said yesterday.
Speaking to reporters, Welch said the United States encourages and supports
peace in Palestine and a two-state vision --Palestine and Israel living side by
side in security and peace.
He said the position of the quartet committee -- the United States, the
United Nations, the European Union and Russia, on Hamas remained unchanged.
The quartet committee, a longtime mediator over the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict, urges Hamas to renounce violence, recognize Israel's existence and
honor previous agreements.
The quartet claims that there will be an inevitable impact on direct aid to
the Palestinian government, if Hamas, which is committed to Israel's
destruction, did not meet requirements.
On the Iraqi issue, Welch said the situation there is difficult and a strong
coalition government is needed to lead the Iraqi people to the future.
