- Russian President Vladimir Putin, in
a joint press conference with Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez
Zapatero on Thursday, stressed that Russia does not consider the Palestinian
group Hamas a terrorist organization, and urged the global community to
work with a Hamas-led Palestinian government.
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- "Hamas has arrived at the doors
of power through legitimate elections," Putin said. "We must
respect the Palestinian people and we have to look for solutions for the
Palestinian people, for the international community, and also for Israel.
Contacts with Hamas must continue."
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- Putin said Russia would invite Hamas
representatives to participate in talks in the future.
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- Zapatero said that Putin must play a
decisive role in finding an answer to the international community's standoff
with Iran over that country's nuclear ambitions.
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- He also called on Putin to lend his weight
to efforts to bring about Middle East peace, and appealed for an end to
the violence that has swept the Muslim world over European newspapers'
decision to publish caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
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- "The role of the Russian federation,
of President Putin, is going to be decisive to all that affects the dialogue
and the peace prospects in the Middle East following the Palestinian elections,
as well as the current situation in Iran," the prime minister said.
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- Zapatero gave no details of what role
he hopes Putin plays in the Iran nuclear standoff.
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- Putin is on a two-day state visit to
Spain, his first as Russia's president. Before meeting Zapatero, Putin
visited the Senate.
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