U.S. EASES POLICY ON HAMAS

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The Bush administration has significantly eased its opposition to Hamas and no longer sees the Islamic movement as an intractable obstacle to an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement.

Officials said the administration has agreed to an international effort to help a Palestinian government controlled by Hamas. They said the administration has set guidelines to ensure continued U.S. financial and other support to a Hamas government that accepts democratic principles and renounces violence.

"We accept Islamist parties if Islamist parties accept the rules of the game," William Jordan, head of the State Department's North Africa bureau, said. "It's up to Hamas to decide whether to accept the rules of the game."
Officials acknowledged

Entire article here