The United Nations (UN) has advised its aid agencies to avoid meeting with Hamas political leaders and to limit contacts to technocrats in the new Palestinian Government. Restrictions on UN contacts with the new Government could further increase pressure on Hamas leaders, who are already shunned by Israel, the United States and the European Union. But by maintaining contacts with the new Government at a "technical level for operational purposes," the UN bucks efforts by the United States to isolate the cash-strapped government and its ministries. UN aid agencies are at the same time advised to "avoid political contact" with Hamas leaders. These leaders would include cabinet ministers and other high-level appointments. In New York, chief UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, says "working contacts" for aid agencies and other UN officials with the new Palestinian Government are permitted to ensure continuation of humanitarian programs. "The issue of political contacts will be dealt with as it arises," Mr Dujarric said.
Mr Dujarric points to statements from the quartet of Middle East mediators, which includes the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia. While the quartet was united in calling on Hamas to renounce violence, recognise Israel and abide by interim peace deals, members have each set out different policies governing contacts with the new Government.
Unlike the UN, the Bush administration has barred its officials and contractors from having any contact with members of the Hamas Government, including at the technocrat level. In private briefings, Bush administration officials have told UN agencies and non-government organisations to ensure that they do not provide any American funding to the Palestinian Authority, its ministries or local municipalities. The United States has also asked the agencies and groups to abide by its strict no-contact policy when working on projects funded by US taxpayer dollars, according to UN officials briefed by Bush administration officials.
Like the United States, the European Union has severed political contacts with the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority. But ministers of the 25 member states agreed that humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people would continue along with working-level contacts with lower-level officials to make that possible. Russia, in contrast, has brushed aside calls to shun Hamas and has maintained contacts with the Islamic militant group at the highest of levels.