US State Department's “Question of the Week” Regarding Engaging Hamas

by korzac | March 11, 2008 at 04:08 pm | 240 views | 2 comments

After the Daily Press Briefing by Sean McCormack, State Department Spokesman (March 10, 2008) , he published a post on "Dipnote" the US Department of State Department blog.

Apparently, our question of the week has caught the eye of some in the mainstream media. Take a look at today’s daily briefing transcript, in which one of our regular mainstream media briefing participants zeroed in on the question to ask whether the government was indicating a change in policy with respect to Hamas. I replied, as I had earlier in the briefing to a separate question not related to the blog, that neither had we changed policy nor were we considering a policy change. Our policy has been that we do not deal with terrorists organization (of which Hamas is classified as one). We have encouraged all in the Palestinian areas to make the choice of renouncing terror, turning away from violence, and recognizing Israel’s right to exist. That’s our policy.

Now we have asked what some might think are provocative questions before in our question of the week section—or at least what some might consider provocative coming from the government (see the list at the bottom of the post). We try to make these questions both topical and to ask them in such a way as to generate informed comment, which I see as an important component of making Dipnote part of the foreign policy blog community and to building a community around Dipnote. Today was, however, the first time I had been asked in the briefing about the question of the week, so I thought it was worth noting in a post.

I thought it worth noting for another reason. Whether intended or not, the questioning at the briefing (and afterwards at the background session) left me with the impression that some in briefing room do not understand the idea behind Dipnote, which I outlined in the first post. Not surprising, but at the same time a bit disappointing. Maybe they were checking us out for the first time. Maybe somebody didn’t like our question. Maybe they think you need their help in interpreting what you read. Whatever the case, we’ll continue trying to push envelope in our own particular way to try to make the blog a better place for discussion about real foreign policy issues, decisions about which have real world implications for people’s lives

Here is an excerpt From the transcript of the briefing:

..."QUESTION: Sean, on Dipnote, the question of the week is actually: Should the U.S. engage Hamas in the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians? Can you explain why this is up for discussion within the State Department since you very firmly have said that Hamas is considered a terrorist organization and you won’t (inaudible).

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, it's not -- again, it's not a question of policy. This is our official blog. It's not -- it's meant to generate conversation among people.

QUESTION: Are you taking notes of what people within the Department are saying? Taking note of what people are saying within the Department on this?

MR. MCCORMACK: We always take a look. I personally always look at the blog. I'm the one who started it. So, you know, we always take a look at what the comments are. But it doesn't -- that doesn't mean that it's going to change the policy. The policy is what it is.

QUESTION: What’s the purpose then, Sean, to have that? What's the -- there must be a reason for this question to be up there versus another question. So what are you taking out of the whole thing?

MR. MCCORMACK: I didn't write this particular question, but again, it's meant to generate -- I mean, you guys here are asking me in a public forum these kinds of questions. This is just another form of a public forum.

QUESTION: So is it meant to just sort of solidify and confirm your policy that you should not talk to Hamas? Are you expecting the parties to" -- see more

Should Israel be worried ?