Hamas is hoping two objectives during this trip - one of which it can already chalk up as "done." The very act of the invitation by Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) gave Hamas - a terrorist organization shunned by Western democracies - the beginnings of the international legitimacy it sought. Following the Russian invitation, French and Turkish leaders also made conciliatory statements towards Hamas.
Mashaal heads the Hamas delegation that arrived in Moscow. It appears, however, that Russian President Putin, who extended the invitation, will not meet with the group. Russian envoy Alexander Kalugin said Thursday night, "The talks with Hamas are not designed to lay down conditions; we will engage in persuasion."
The other objective Hamas hopes to achieve during the three-day visit to Moscow is money. Arutz-7's Haggai Huberman reports in the name of Israeli security sources that ever since Hamas won the Palestinian Authority election a month ago, the PA economy has suffered a downturn. The mini-depression is apparently due to the widespread of uncertainty with the PA populace regarding its economic future. Israel has cut off some $50 million of monthly revenue, and the US and European Union also plan to cut down greatly on its contributions.
Hamas leaders are attempting to allay the fears of the PA Arabs, saying they will obtain the missing money from Arab and Muslim countries. So far, this has not happened.
Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal of Damascus recently traveled to Iran, asking for economic help. It is not clear what Iran offered. Saudi Arabia's Al-Medina newspaper reported that Iran promised Hamas $600 million annually, but Al-Ayam reported that the sum was closer to $250 million.
In any event, neither Israel, the U.S., the European Union, nor even some non-fundamentalist Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan will be happy to see the Hamas Authority come under Iranian influence.
It was reported this week that Iran had established a base of operations in "Palestine." Muhammed Rawanam, head of the New Shi'ite Council, announced, "In the name of the great Islam, and from the heart of Palestine, we hereby announce the establishment of the Supreme Shi'ite Islamic Council in Palestine... The Islamic Republic of Iran is the base of the world-wide Islamic enterprise that seeks to establish the upright Islamic Khalifate with its capital in Jerusalem."
Mashaal heads the Hamas delegation that arrived in Moscow. It appears, however, that Russian President Putin, who extended the invitation, will not meet with the group. Russian envoy Alexander Kalugin said Thursday night, "The talks with Hamas are not designed to lay down conditions; we will engage in persuasion."
The other objective Hamas hopes to achieve during the three-day visit to Moscow is money. Arutz-7's Haggai Huberman reports in the name of Israeli security sources that ever since Hamas won the Palestinian Authority election a month ago, the PA economy has suffered a downturn. The mini-depression is apparently due to the widespread of uncertainty with the PA populace regarding its economic future. Israel has cut off some $50 million of monthly revenue, and the US and European Union also plan to cut down greatly on its contributions.
Hamas leaders are attempting to allay the fears of the PA Arabs, saying they will obtain the missing money from Arab and Muslim countries. So far, this has not happened.
Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal of Damascus recently traveled to Iran, asking for economic help. It is not clear what Iran offered. Saudi Arabia's Al-Medina newspaper reported that Iran promised Hamas $600 million annually, but Al-Ayam reported that the sum was closer to $250 million.
In any event, neither Israel, the U.S., the European Union, nor even some non-fundamentalist Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan will be happy to see the Hamas Authority come under Iranian influence.
It was reported this week that Iran had established a base of operations in "Palestine." Muhammed Rawanam, head of the New Shi'ite Council, announced, "In the name of the great Islam, and from the heart of Palestine, we hereby announce the establishment of the Supreme Shi'ite Islamic Council in Palestine... The Islamic Republic of Iran is the base of the world-wide Islamic enterprise that seeks to establish the upright Islamic Khalifate with its capital in Jerusalem."