Why is Obama going to start direct negotiations with Hamas?

The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush's 颅doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say.

The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a definitive break with the Bush 颅presidency's ostracising of the group. The state department has designated Hamas a terrorist organisation, and in 2006 颅Congress passed a law banning US financial aid to the group.

The Guardian has spoken to three 颅people with knowledge of the discussions in the Obama camp. There is no talk of Obama approving direct diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracising Hamas is counter-productive. A tested course would be to start 颅contacts through Hamas and the US intelligence services, similar to the secret process through which the US engaged with the PLO in the 1970s. Israel did not become aware of the contacts until much later

Say it aint so Barack! We do not negotiate with terrorists!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan...

He thinks that you can reason with them. They don't understand reason or logic. All they understand is violence. That's why they just need to be exterminated, just like Israel is trying to do right now.

Something that should have been done a long time ago. Like it or not hamas was elected by free elections (pushed by Bush by the way) by the Palestinian people exercising their right to pick who they want to represent them. like it or not the Palestinian people made that choice.

Could it be because Bush's doctrine has so painfully obviously failed?
The only reason Hamas gained power was Bush's stubborn refusal to sit down with the Palestinian authorities. Palestinians obviously decided that if they get no respect for electing moderates they would go with Hamas.

The kind of contacts you are describing aren't negotiations. They're contacts.

have not got a clue... it is a waste of time to try to agree with known liars... you can not trust a liar... there is history that shows their untrustworthiness. pray for our enemies

...and what Obama's camp is already selling secrets to The Guardian before he even gets inaugurated? We are in for one f*** of a ride.

Lou forgets who shot the missles and wonders why Israel is striking back...some people are delutional..Hamas is the terroist and they only know hate and killing

he wants to talk with them. talk does nothing unless both sides care about losing lifes. hamas doesnt care.

Hmmm ,...let me think now Barack. HUSSEIN. Obama...Hussein? Hussein...HUSSEIN?!!!! Naw! :) couldn't be..

If so why not? The soviets wanted us dead, we negotiated with them. You think Hamas is more dangerous?

He won't. It's not a war that involves Hamas but a genocide that Israel is committing against the Palestinians.