HAMAS WON'T VOTE IN P.A. ELECTIONS

NOT EVEN FOR RALPH NADER?

Hamas Says to Boycott Palestinian Presidential Vote
GAZA (Reuters) - The Palestinian Islamic militant faction Hamas will boycott a Jan. 9 presidential election for a successor to Yasser Arafat, a senior Hamas leader said on Wednesday. “We in the Islamic resistance announce our boycott and our non-participation in the presidential elections for the Palestinian Authority,” Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, told reporters in Gaza City.

“All Hamas members will abide by the decision to boycott the elections. The Palestinian people understand the need and are well aware of the Hamas position but there is no call for ordinary Palestinans not to vote,” he said. In Beirut, a Hamas official said Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas — the favorite to succeed Arafat — planned to meet members of Hamas when he travels to Damascus next week.