Israeli team to draft stand on Hamas takeover of PA

[Behind the Aegis]

An Israeli inter-ministerial team is scheduled to begin work Sunday to formulate Israel's official stand in the event that Hamas takes control over the Palestinian Authority, following assessments that Hamas is expected to do well in the January 25 Palestinian Legislative Council elections, Israel Radio reported Saturday.

The team was formed in light of the anarchy spreading in the PA and the PA's inability to enforce the law, the radio said.

The team, headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's adviser Dov Weisglass, will include Shin Bet and security officials as well as Foreign Ministry representatives.

Weisglass will also raise the issue in a meeting he is scheduled to hold in Jerusalem with U.S. envoy David Welsch, the radio said.

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[bemildred]

1. I can hardly wait. nt