Kofi Annan Defends Carter on Hamas

Quel surprise!!! Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan defended Jimmy Carter's recent talks with Hamas. During a press conference in Geneva at the launch of his new organization, the Global Human Forum, Annan said, "I don't think the criticism is entirely fair. We should be cautious not to over-react but take advantage of whatever openings President Carter has been able to move the process forward." And what openings would those be? Nothing has changed between last week and this week. Hamas will no more recognize Israel as its neighbor than it did a week ago. The same will be true next week. The only thing that has changed is that Hamas is gaining credibility and respectability with the chattering classes. So long as Hamas' hooliganism is rewarded there is no reason for them to change their behavior. After all, Hamas exists to put Israel out of existence.