A retired French diplomat told Le Figaro newspaper Monday that he had met top Hamas leaders recently to hear their views on a cease-fire with Israel and reconciliation with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
The report prompted French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to admit the contacts were at Paris' behest, though the government was firm on insisting Hamas recognize the Jewish state and foreswear terrorism before it can be formally engaged.
terrorists or "people who assassinate." The U.S. and the European Union consider Hamas a terrorist organization.

US-brokered peace talks between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have made little tangible progress,

PARIS (AFP) — French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday that Paris had resumed contacts with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas,

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has said that Paris had resumed contacts with Palestinian movement Hamas in charge of Gaza Strip.