Vital Perspective

State Department to Hamas: Get With the Program!

Adam Ereli's press briefing at the State Department on Thursday dealt with Iran to a great degree. The regime is trying to refocus the spotlight so they don't feel so much international pressure as negotiations/stalling continues with Russia and the EU-3. South Africa's invitation to Hamas and a backgrounder on the murdered U.S. diplomat in Thursday's car bombing in Karachi were all highlights of the session. Breakdown and full text below the fold.

Hamas Invited to Meet with South African Government

A Hamas spokesman said Thursday that the terror group, which is to take over the Palestinian government this month, has been invited to South Africa for talks with officials. No timetable has been set for the visit, Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

UN S-G Kofi Annan has said the international community should shun Hamas unless it recognizes Israel's right to live in peace, renounces terrorism and accepts the Mideast peace process.

"We would be concerned that giving legitimacy to an unreformed Hamas could stifle the possibility that the movement will transform itself from a terrorist organization to a political party," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said.

Hamas leaders are due to visit Russia on Friday and have also been invited to Venezuela for talks with government officials there. Senior Hamas officials have already met with Turkey's foreign minister.