U.S. eases opposition to Hamas participation in elections

The Daily Star - Politics - U.S. eases opposition to Hamas participation in elections:

Rice: "I think we have to give the Palestinians some room for the evolution of their political process."

Wistful notions that secular parties may supplant groups like Hamas are absent reality notwithstanding Sharon's grandstanding, which has much more to do with political competition within Likud rather shaping a viable Israeli policy. Rice's comments implicitly underline that the U.S. understands this distinction.