Mixed Reactions to Blair Appointment

Working from offices in Jerusalem and the West Bank, Blair's primary mission will focus on "issues limited to the internal workings of a future Palestinian state." Blair will not be involved in diplomatic negotiations between the parties, a task left to U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Instead, Blair will have as primary task to help the Palestinian Authorities to create good governance and the solid institutions necessary to the establishment of an independent State of Palestine. Blair will also face the challenge to convince the Palestinians to recognize Israel right to exist as pre-condition for the restoration of Western aid. Among those living in the Middle East, Blair is a controversial figure. Most Arabs see him as strong pro-Israel politician with close ties to President Bush. They widely blame him for the situation in Iraq and his refusal to condemn the Israel bombing of Lebanon last summer. Read full story

Tony Blair to Become 'Mr. Palestine'?

If he accepts the mission, Mr. Blair will succeed, albeit with expanded powers, to former World Bank president James D. Wolfensohn who resigned after 13 months on the job. Wolfensohn strongly opposed the cut-off of U.S. aid to Palestine after the victory of Hamas in the last election.Mr. Wolfensohn predicted that the sanctions would bring the collapse of the government and create a political vacuum that no State or international organization would be able to fill. Read full story