Abbas arrives in China, says Hamas could become part of future government

BEIJING - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said Tuesday Hamas would be welcome to participate in July elections and that there might be a role for the Islamic group in a future government.
"If they would like to participate in political life, and if they win enough seats in the legislative election, they're welcome to participate, even in the future government," Abbas told reporters in Beijing.
Abbas arrived earlier in the day from Japan, where he had told local media that Hamas needed to be part of the political process.
The Palestinian leader told Japanese media that by engaging Hamas to solve problems politically, there would be no need to resort to military conflict.
An Abbas aide last week raised the idea of postponing the July legislative election amid fears in the Palestinians' ruling Fatah party that Hamas could capitalize on recent local poll successes.
However, Hamas Tuesday ruled out any change in the timetable for the elections.
"It will go on as scheduled. There is no reason to delay the election. It will be on time," he said.
Israel has said a Hamas victory could make it re-think its planned pullout from the Gaza Strip.
Abbas arrived in China amid expectations that he would urge more support from the Asian giant.
"The Chinese government has always supported the Palestinian position," he said in Beijing. "China has never given up its support of the Palestinian people's struggle."
Abbas flew in from Japan where he had secured a pledge from Tokyo to provide 100 million dollars in aid.
When asked if he hoped for assistance from China as well, he said "China had always fulfilled its promises to the Palestinians."
Abbas, who will be in China for two days, is scheduled to meet Wednesday with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, according to the Palestinian embassy in Beijing.
"Abbas will brief China on recent developments in the Middle East," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a regular briefing.
"The two sides will also talk about mutually beneficial cooperation and sign agreements on economic cooperation," he said.
China established diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority in 1988.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan refrained from disclosing if China would also provide financial assistance to the Palestinians, but said Beijing was an active player in the Middle East.
"As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always followed (Middle East developments) closely and tried to seek lasting peace in the Middle East," he told a regular briefing.
State Councilor Tang, a former foreign minister, was among the Chinese officials who had visited the region in hopes of promoting peace, Kong said.
"We hope the Chinese side can maintain close contact with all parties to promote peace in the Middle East," he said.
"The most important thing is for the Palestinians, the Israelis and all parties involved ... to restart the peace talks. Only in this way can we make a solid step towards peace in this region."
Abbas expressed satisfaction with China's diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, including the dispatch of a special Middle East envoy.
"We are very, very glad that the Chinese government has sent a special Middle East envoy to the area. That shows the Chinese government is very concerned about the situation in the Middle East."

05/17/2005 14:44 GMT