Blair seeks broader Middle East role: diplomats

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Blair seeks broader Middle East role: diplomats
Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:36PM EDT

By Adam Entous

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Tony Blair is seeking a broader role as
Middle East envoy that would give him more direct involvement in
peacemaking, expanding the limited mandate world powers gave
him last month, diplomats said on Tuesday.

The former British prime minister tentatively plans to visit Israel
and the occupied West Bank next week for the first time as envoy
for the Quartet of Middle East mediators -- the United States, the
European Union, Russia and the United Nations.

Senior Western and European diplomats, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said talks over Blair's role were still under way and that
his visit could be postponed.

-snip-

"He is talking to leaders about what he wants to do. He has made
clear the capacity-building mandate is not enough," said one senior
Western diplomat familiar with the discussions. "He doesn't see
himself bound to that. He wants a political role."

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1089773420070710

[SteppingRazor]

1. I give him credit for wanting to fix his mess...

it's more than we can say for Bush. But, of course, had he not made the mess in the first place...