Brussels, 09/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, experts from Member States began but did not conclude discussions on the implementation of the political decision taken by the Fifteen last Saturday to include Hamas on the European list of terrorist organisations. European sources explained that the definitive decision will be taken by the Council by written procedure and could take several days. Following the political consensus obtained at the informal "Gymnich" meeting of Foreign Ministers, it will still be necessary to determine by proof and checks who and which organisations linked to Hamas should be included on the list, as well as the organisation itself (EUROPE yesterday p 7). Discussions at Gymnich would suggest that several leaders of Hamas will be included on the black list but it will be difficult to reach an agreement on charity organisations, explained European sources. The decision will only become definitive once it is included in the Official Journal of the European Communities. This will be the moment when Member States will be obliged to freeze funds and possessions held in the EU by organisations and persons included on the list. There is nothing that would stop Member States beginning these kinds of measures now, if their legislation allows for it. In general, adding names to the December 2001 black list is done in top secret to avoid allowing those involved the time to shift funds abroad just before the decision is taken.
Israel welcomes the decision of the Fifteen to put Hamas on the terrorist list. Foreign Affairs Minister Silvan Shalom spoke to his Italian, German and British counterparts on the telephone. Iran has condemned this decision, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan. The Iranian government's spokesman has called on Europeans to remember the Nazi occupation, highlighting, according to AFP reports that, "defending oneself against aggressors and occupiers is the legitimate right of any country and we cannot describe these organisations as terrorist".