Whatever happened to not negotiating with terrorists?

Interesting report from Ynet Online that two Arab newspapers are reporting that senior Bush and Blair Administration officials have sent official letters to the senior leadership of both Hezbollah and Hamas offering to negotiate their organizations removal from the proscribed list of international terrorist organizations.

Senior Hamas and Hizbullah members both received official letters from the U.S administration and British government, two United Arab Emirates’ newspapers reported Saturday. According to the al-Bayan newspaper, the U.S. sent the Islamic terrorist groups a letter, expressing its respect for the organizations’ broad popular support – support that is expected to only grow with the upcoming elections in Lebanon and in the Palestinian Authority.

The newspaper also reported the administration has invited the Islamic organizations’ leaders to a meeting with senior U.S. officials at a still-undecided location. According to sources quoted in the newspaper, the Americans have even demonstrated their willingness to cooperate with the organizations, should they develop into political parties following the elections.

Furthermore, the al-Halij newspaper reported that Britain has considered changing its foreign policy regarding the Middle East and may agree to direct dialogue with Hamas and Hizbullah for the very first time. The newspaper reports that this move is based on the assumption the organizations will strengthen their political positions after elections next week in Lebanon and on July 17 in the PA.

A British Foreign Ministry spokesman refused to confirm the newspaper’s report but said that Britain’s current foreign policy is aimed at contact with Hamas field commanders “not connected to terror.” The spokesman said that the motive for such controversial contacts was to “strengthen the Palestinian Authority.” However, the spokesman said his government’s ties to Hizbullah were severed years ago, as its military wing has been included in the list of terror organizations since 2001.

All of which would go far to explain the odd statement made by White House Press Secretary Scott McClelland in an April 13, 2005 press briefing wherein he referred to Hamas elected municipal officials as "business professionals" though it should be noted that arms dealer is a recognized profession and hanging a Jew out to dry has a long a historical tradition in the West.