Palestinian Authority, Hamas Talk
Representatives of the Palestinian Authority and its chief rival, the Muslim radical movement Hamas, embarked Monday on their first official reconciliation talks since PLO leader Yasser Arafat made peace with Israel in 1993.
The Palestinian Authority hopes to persuade Hamas to declare a formal end to the guerrilla war against Israel and to take part in Palestinian elections scheduled for Jan. 20. Hamas, in turn, wants the authority to allow it political freedoms and to press Israel to free political prisoners.
Hamas opposes both the elections and the peace deal between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Muslim movement has been blamed for killing scores of Israelis in a wave of suicide bombings since the agreement was signed.
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