Palestinians cool to bear hug from bin Laden

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Palestinian officials are reacting coolly to the latest pronouncements from Osama bin Laden.
In his latest recorded message to the world, the fugitive leader of al-Qaida portrays himself as a bitter enemy of Israel and the only true defender of the Palestinians. But the actual Palestinians, even the Islamic militants

of Hamas, don't seem too enthusiastic about the bear hug.
The moderate Palestinian government in the West Bank fears the Palestinian cause could be sullied by links to terrorism. In the tape, bin Laden condemned the West Bank government for talking to Israel. And Hamas, which the U.S. and Israel consider a terrorist group, sees al-Qaida as too extreme.

Palestinian government adviser Nimr Hammad says bin Laden has «caused huge damage to the image of Muslims and Arabs all over the world.» He says bin Laden's statements have damaged the Palestinian image as well.

Huh? The hamas does not want to be related with bin laden because he is to extremist? This is just to much of an penalty strike to be commented on. LOL!