US to keep Blair out of Middle East (Condi tells Tony that US will be the leaders)

[rodeodance]

Well, condi----ME peace talks so far have only lead to terrorists building up!


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/20/wblair120.xml

US to keep Blair out of Middle East

By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
Last Updated: 1:35am BST 20/07/2007

# No room at the inn for Tony Blair

Tony Blair was told by the United States yesterday that he had no authority to tackle political negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians as he spent his first full day as special envoy to the Middle East.

Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, insisted that America would retain leadership of the "political track" while Mr Blair would work on raising funds for the Palestinians, as well as building their economy and infrastructure.

It was the clearest account yet of the former prime minister's role in the Middle East on behalf of the international Quartet - the European Union, United Nations, the United States and Russia. He will be more an envoy to the Palestinians than a peace envoy.

"I think his mandate was made clear by the Quartet when they issued the statement," said Miss Rice.

"There is also a political track that for a variety of reasons the United States is committed to lead in co-ordination with the Quartet."
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Mr Blair's role "is something that is completely complementary and if we all work together, and there is plenty to do, perhaps we can finally deliver," she said.

[rodeodance]

1. --t amounted to a diplomatic snub

While she couched her comments amid lavish praise for Mr Blair, it amounted to a diplomatic snub after his representatives had earlier made clear he wanted to play a key role in peace negotiations.

Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, who is understood to have been put out by Mr Blair's appointment, backed Miss Rice, saying Mr Blair's mandate is to "build the Palestinian institutions".

Miss Rice was speaking before Mr Blair attended his first full meeting of the Quartet in Lisbon.

"I know that Tony Blair is an experienced, capable, historic figure and he's going to bring an energy to the international commitment to a Palestinian state that is capable for its own people," she told Sky News. "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."

[truebrit71]

2. I don't think the poodle will like that too much...

Oh, and Kindasleazy Rice, don't you have some shoes to buy?

Go fuck yourself you pretentious goddamned liar...

[C_U_L8R]

3. Aren't we such fair weather friends

geez it's embarrassing

why do we elect such dickheads???

[izzie]

4. That is one odd story. Could it be true?

Did anyone read about the Danes evacuation of the Iraq people who helped them. It is on the BBC site. Am I just in a bad mood or is the whole Middle East going to blow and very soon? This looks like the USA is coming un-hinged and other countries are trying to hold up what is coming. Besides that it looks like the Brits are doing a lot of study in this last move of troops by Bush. I think something is in the wind and it feels bad. It seems the govt. people in Iraq will be out of the country as it all falls apart also. I am not sure just what I am reading any more.Bush in his 'happy' mood just does add to my wonder.