French Journalist Discloses Secret Meetings Between French officials and Islamic Movements leaders

PARIS,(ST)_ French writer and journalist Georges Malbrunot  disclosed secret meetings  held in Geneva which included a high-level official in the French Foreign Ministry ,  most prominent leaders of the Islamic movements in the Arab world and opposition leaders  of the West- Arab backed regimes.

In an article in his blog in  Le Figaro newspaper on Monday , the writer  stated that six meetings were held  including   deputy director of North Africa and the Middle East department  at the French Foreign Ministry and  diplomats from Germany, Spain and Norway during 2008 and 2009 under the auspices of  A  Swiss nongovernmental  called  “Human Dialogue”, adding that these diplomats held talks with the Islamists since a long time.  The French writer said  that these information were confirmed  in Geneva  by a Swiss diplomat.

He continued that  on behalf of the Islamists , the meetings were attended  by officials from the Moroccan  freedom and justice party, which is currently presiding over the Moroccan government , Tunisians representing  al-Nahda ( Renaissance) party, members of the Muslim brotherhood group in Syria, representatives  for the Hamas movement and Lebanese figures.

“We seek to persuade Islamists to accede to   power through the ballot box, adding that our interlocutors actually accepted this idea.” Malbrunot quoted one of the participants in these regular meetings  which lasted for one year.

The writer added, “that in the beginning of 2008  the French diplomacy established secret  communication channels with the Palestinian Hamas movement, but this communication was stopped by the Elysee after uncovered by the newspaper Le Figaro,” pointing out that since 2003  the European Union considers Hamas  a terrorist organization.

He concluded  that the multiple meetings in Switzerland strengthen the position of  supporters  of dialogue with Hamas, noting  that the international community set a precondition to  open a dialogue with Hamas to honor  to three conditions :  Recognize Israel , respect the Oslo agreements and renounce terrorism .

T. Fateh