WASHINGTON, May 26 (Xinhuanet) -- US President Georege W. Bush said on Thursday that the United States still views the radical Islamic group Hamas as a terrorist organization.

    Speaking to reporter after meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Bush said, "Our position on Hamas is very clear. It's a well known position and it hasn't changed ... Hamas is a terrorist group."

    Bush said that groups that used violence as a political tool would ultimately find it impossible to achieve their goals of a Palestinian state, adding that it was his hope that "more and morepeople will reject the notion" of violence.

    "I don't think they (members of Hamas)'re going to get elected.Palestinian moms want their children to grow up in peace just like American moms want their kids to grow up in peace," Bush said when he was asked to comment on Hamas' participation of legislative elections scheduled for July.

    Bush made the remarks as fears mount among the ruling Palestinian Fatah party that Hamas could build on sweeping gains in local elections in Gaza and municipal elections earlier this year in legislative elections in July.

    The United States designated Hamas as a terrorist organization in 1997.

    Hamas, the largest Palestinian opposition group, has said it will participate in legislative elections set to take place in July. It would be the first time the group has sought a place in the Palestinian parliament.

    Abbas welcomed the group's desire to join the political process,but said the group, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings against Israelis, would be expected to give up its militant tactics after the vote.

    Hamas has pledged to respect an informal truce in place since late January but has said it is determined to "avenge Israeli crimes". Enditem