HAMAS-FATAH UNITY GOVT. FALLS SHORT OF WEST'S GOALS

Hamas-Fatah Coalition Misses West's Goals - Steven Erlanger
The Hamas-led Palestinian government, boycotted by the West since its election more than a year ago because of Hamas' support of terrorism, announced Thursday a unity coalition with Fatah in hopes of ending the boycott. But the political document guiding the new government does not fulfill the international community's three demands - to recognize Israel, forswear violence, and accept previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements - and Israel announced that it would therefore not deal with the new government or any of its ministers, Hamas or not. The U.S. is expected to follow suit but the EU will face a fierce internal debate. (New York Times)