U.S. said that aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) would be reviewed and reduced if Hamas gets a role in government.

The United States wants the January 25 parliamentary election to take place on time but has reluctantly accepted Hamas participation in the poll- U.S. classifies Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Washington worries that Hamas could make a strong enough showing against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement to win cabinet seats.

U.S. diplomatic sources warned that such an outcome would prompt a review of U.S. financial aid to the Palestinians because of existing U.S. prohibitions on providing any "material support" to groups on Washington's terrorism list.

"It will have ramifications" for U.S. aid to the Palestinians, said one diplomatic source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Another U.S. diplomatic source said: "We will have to take a look at how exactly to stay within existing laws on dealing with foreign terrorists."
A Hamas spokesman said the U.S. comments amounted to a "flagrant intervention" in Palestinian affairs.

"This blackmail is completely rejected by Hamas," said spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. "Our people will defend its choices."

American envoy to the Middle East C. David Welch said Friday during a visit to Ramallah in the West Bank that the U.S. firmly believes that Palestinians everywhere are entitled to vote in the Palestinian legislative elections, Israel Radio reported.

"We want to ensure that residents will feel safe and free to vote," said Welch.

Welch, along with U.S. deputy national security adviser Elliot Abrams, met Friday with Abbas in Ramallah.

The radio also reported that chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that Abbas emphasized during the meeting the importance of the Palestinian vote particularly in East Jerusalem, which Israel has threatened to ban.

Abbas requested Friday Israel remove checkpoints to allow free movement of candidates and constituents.

The Israeli cabinet is expected to vote Sunday on allowing the vote to take place in East Jerusalem at post offices.

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and several top advisers warned U.S. envoys Friday that the PA could collapse if Hamas takes control in the Palestinian parliamentary elections, according to the radio report.

PHOTO CAPTION

Hamas supporters attend a pre-election rally in village of Ellar near the West Bank town of Tulkarm on January 14, 2006. (REUTERS)

Source: Jerusalemites