Hamas sends signals of moderation to West

GAZA CITY, May 13 (AP): Hamas, the Islamic militant group known for suicide bombings, rocket attacks and hatred of Israel, is sending subtle signals of moderation as it prepares to join a Palestinian unity government. Hamas officials speak of reconciliation with the West and a halt in armed hostilities with Israel, and even hint at some sort of political accommodation with the Jewish state. While Israel is not convinced, there are hopes in some Palestinian circles that the Iran-backed group could become a more accepted part of the Mideast diplomatic equation. "The world should realize that we have made many changes," said Ghazi Hamad, the deputy foreign minister of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip. "The international community should not run away from these changes." For that, finessing will be required: Even a gentler Hamas will not openly accept Israel - as world mediators have demanded - or dismantle its sizable arsenal. Israelis, traumatized by suicide bombers turning their cafes and buses into bloody killing grounds, could hardly be more skeptical.