France Admits Secret Contacts With Hamas

Now what do you think of this? France has had informal contacts with Hamas. That is the militant Palestinian group that rules Gaza. Not only that, but Hamas said France is not the only European country to seek it out recently for talks. This acknowledgment of secret contacts between France and a group considered terrorist by the United States and European Union brought swift criticism from Washington. And is it any wonder? We better watch our backs.

EU to Meet New Iran Nuclear Chief

In Rome as diplomats try to detect any hardening in Tehran's policy, Iran's new chief nuclear negotiator is to meet EU envoy Javier Solana. The talks will be the first with the EU since Saeed Jalili, a close ally of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, took over from Ali Larijani. Mr. Larijani quit amid differences with President Ahmadinejad over how to proceed with negotiations. However, he is due to accompany his successor to the Rome meeting.