PA diplomat: Clashes could ruin ME peace process

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr condemned renewed violence in the Gaza Strip at talks with his Japanese counterpart on Tuesday, saying the fighting could derail the entire Middle East peace process. At a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Abu Amr said clashes between rival powers Hamas and Fatah threatened to wreck the Palestinians' negotiations with Israel, according to a Foreign Ministry official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity. "If Gaza disintegrates, subsequent negotiations with the Israelis would be jeopardized," Abu Amr was quoted as saying. "The situation is extremely grave."