PA to fight Hamas if settlements evacuated

GAZA, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A top Palestinian official said Wednesday the Palestinian Authority would never let Hamas or Islamic Jihad take over in the territories if Israel pulls out.

"We will fight them (Hamas) and we will prevent them from controlling or taking over the Gaza Strip after any Israeli withdrawal," said Jibril Rajoub, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's national security adviser, at a news conference in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

He said many Hamas leaders had "a pragmatic attitude."

"There are many Hamas movement leaders who accept an independent Palestinian state on the territories that Israel occupied in the war of 1967," he said.

Rajoub also referred to comments by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that he would unilaterally withdraw from the occupied territories and evacuate 17 of 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip if he cannot reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. Rajoub called for the immediate resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks.

"Any withdrawal from Gaza should be coordinated with the Palestinian side," he said.

He also said he believed his side could make peace with Sharon.

"We know very well that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is not a peaceful dove or peace activist, but we know that he is the only one that can lead his people to make peace with others," he said. "And he can do it."