Blair presses Palestinians to restart talks

[Jefferson23]

Ex-British PM and Quartet's special envoy says it is Palestinians' "right" to come to UN, but negotiations are a must.
Last Modified: 19 Sep 2011 05:10

The diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East hopes to clinch a deal for the Palestinians to get greater UN recognition while meeting US and Israeli objections and convincing Palestinians to resume peace talks, special envoy Tony Blair has said.

Blair told Al Jazeera's Abderrahim Foukara on Sunday that it was "the Palestinian right to come to the UN", but that "whatever happens at the UN, let's find a balanced way that we can restart the negotiations."

IN VIDEO

Tony Blair denies he is supporting the Israeli position


"You can pass whatever resolution you want or have any amount of recognition at the UN, unless you also have change on the ground that is negotiated - because this is the only way it will happen, you're going to end up in a situation where we end up again frustrated," he said.

In a separate interview with ABC television, Blair explained: "What we will be looking for over the next few days is a way of putting together something that allows their claims and legitimate aspirations for statehood to be recognised, whilst actually renewing the only thing that's going to produce a state - which is a negotiation directly between the two sides."

The former British prime minister represents the Quartet, which is made up of the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.

in full: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/09/20119193522435555.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Memo to Blair: That ship has sailed.

[azurnoir]

2. Lol ya you go on there Tony

'funny' how all these politicians who so support negotiations seem to go deaf to Abbas saying negotiations will happen after statehood is declared on a more level playing field, but gee Tony says he's not taking Israel's side or anything

[vminfla]

4. Funny how negotiations never resume after each concession

Negotiations actually begin with .. you know .. negotiating.

[azurnoir]

5. ah ya right like they have for 18 years now

or Israel's unspoken you talk we'll build. Israel is afraid of having to negotiate with a UN recognized state

concessions BS what a choked off Gaza and 17% of the West Bank

[hack89]

6. So that now that the Palestinians have walked away from negotiations

what next? Freeze the status quo?

[azurnoir]

7. the Palestinians have not walked away from negotiations as you insist

Abbas has stated negotiations can continue after the UN bid it is indeed Israel that seems to walk away from negotiations under those circumstances why is that?

[hack89]

8. So after poking Israel in the eye and embarrassing America.

everything will be just like it was before? That is naive beyond imagination.

The PA is hoping this stunt will give them some leverage that will force Israel to make concessions. The more likely outcome is that Israel will simply delay long enough for the Palestinians to demonstrate beyond a doubt that they are unable to create a fully functioning country. They will sit there, take the rockets from Hamas, and ask the UN to condemn the nation of Palestine for attacking a sovereign nation. And the PA will demonstrate to the entire world just how powerless they are - which is what Hamas wants to do as quickly as possible.

[azurnoir]

9. oh Israel is has an sore eye and Uncle Sugar is embarrassed as well he should be iIMO

those Palestinians should learn to act right g huh?

oh dear I feel a rockets Hamas rant is forthcoming

[hack89]

11. Nothing will happen without Israel and the US - no one else matters.

it is not a question of the Palestinians acting "right". They have to act smart. Which they are not.

So you tell me - what has changed in the PA / Hamas dynamic that gives you confidence that a viable, functioning state can be created in short order? They aren't even discussing how they will govern - just how will all this magically fall into place.

[azurnoir]

12. Lol just the title alone n/t

[hack89]

13. Unicorns and fairies will not create a Palestinian state

this is real, hard nosed, realpolitik. There is no country or organization that will challenge the US when push comes to shove.

The PA will have to come back to the table - where nothing has changed.

[azurnoir]

14. the PA has said they will come back to the table but it's nice to see that some here

adhere to might and money equals right or so it would seem?

[hack89]

15. So what was the point?

how does the PA gain any advantage from this stunt? What leverage do they have that they didn't have before? Have you considered what Israel might do to negate any advantage the PA might have gained?

I am puzzled by your notion that everyone can go back to things the way they were and everyone will now sit down and pick up where the negotiations left off - I thought this was a game changing move. If it was then why are you assuming that there will be talks - doesn't Israel now have to assess how things have changed? Doesn't the PA have to actually prove they can deliver on any promises - especially any security guarantees? The logical thing would be to let the Palestinians get their house in order and then come back in a year or so.

[bemildred]

3. I don't think even he knows what he means to say. nt

[Matilda]

10. Blair is such an unfortunate choice as any sort of ambassador in the ME peace process.

The man who embraced Gaddafi, and who relentlessly pushed for war with Iraq.

Does anyone take him seriously any more?