Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Blair begins new role as peace envoy, not the best choice says analyst
Published in Daily News Egypt on 20 - 07 - 2007

CAIRO: Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair kicked off his role yesterday as the Middle East Quartet envoy for peace in Lisbon, Portugal.
He met with leaders and representatives of the Quartet, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, EU Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and talks were held over the future framework for the peace initiative.
Although special envoy for the Quartet as a whole, Blair's mandate is restricted to assisting Palestinians develop their infrastructure and economy, a role strenuously defended by Rice, who said that it was "something that is completely complimentary and if we all work together, and there is plenty to do, perhaps we can finally deliver.
Rice added that "there is a very good sense that his dedication now to helping the Palestinians build the institutions of statehood, to move forward on economic development and to press forward on helping to create a strong Palestinian partner is very well-timed as we try to move forward toward the establishment of a state.
The appointment of Blair was met with much skepticism in the region, considering his close ties and unwavering support for the Bush administration when he was British Prime Minister, his active role in the Iraq war and pro-Israeli, pro-American stance.
"I don t believe Mr Blair has any chance at all of pushing forward the peace process, syndicated columnist specializing in Middle East affairs Linda Heard told The Daily Star Egypt.
"Frankly given Mr Blair's unabashed and unashamed sycophancy towards the Bush administration, whose wishes he consistently put before the interests of his own country, the only job he deserved was flipping burgers in the nearest McDonalds where he could wrap himself in the American flag to his heart s content without giving anyone anything more than indigestion, she added.
Heard also said that the current situation in both Israel and Palestine would make any peace efforts that much harder.
"This is too little too late and, in any case, there are no peace partners, she said "Olmert with the lowest approval rating of any sitting Israeli Prime Minister isn t trusted by is people and neither is Mahmoud Abbas, who is viewed by most Palestinians as too cosy with the West, while the caretaker Palestinian PM has been appointed not elected.
"Worse, Heard added, "the party that was overwhelmingly elected to represent the Palestinian people have been labelled terrorist and have been excluded and demonized. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack downplayed expectations of any big announcements from the meeting. He told reporters, "I m not sure that this is going to be a meeting with any new announcements.
"But there s a lot that has happened over the past couple of weeks and it s a good opportunity for them to get together, take stock of what has happened ... as well as to look ahead and chart a course out for the next several months, he added.
The meeting was described as coming at a "crucial time by the UN, as the Palestinian territories remain split after clashes last month. The Gaza Strip is under Hamas control, while Fatah controls the West Bank.
The West and moderate Arab countries have weighed their support behind Fatah and its president Mahmoud Abbas, recognizing him and his faction as the legitimate rulers of the Palestinian territories.
Blair is due to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories next week. It will be his first visit to the region as peace envoy.
Key Words: Middle East Quartet, Tony Blair, Condoleezza Rice, Peace Envoy, Israel, Fatah, Hamas


Clic here to read the story from its source.