Blair: Credible Palestinian security plan needed for peace talks

[Gimel]

By The Associated Press

LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Thursday it would be impossible to restart the Middle East peace process without a credible security plan from the Palestinian authorities.

The internationally-brokered road map to peace, which calls for a series of steps leading to a Palestinian state by 2005, has stalled amid continuing violence and violations by both sides.

"I have been critical of certain aspects of Israeli policy, but I do honestly believe it is impossible to get this process restarted unless there is a credible security plan," Blair told reporters at his monthly news conference.

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http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/383603.html

This makes sense. But will it happen?

[vierundzwanzig]

1. Yeah Tony,

that's exactly what we need: You sticking your nose into yet another fiasco. If I were you I'd keep as low of a profile as possible.

[bluesoul]

2. Good point

24! ;)

[GabysPoppy]

3. Message, Message, Message

Does what he say make sense or is it bullshit?

[Gimel]

4. A low profile

Do you mean that the EU has to be bullied into staying out of I/P? Then it's none of the business of anyone but Israel and the Palestinians? What kind of nonsense is that, when the PA is continually running to the UN for resolutions as though they expect the world in general to solve their problems.

[vierundzwanzig]

5. The EU is sorely needed

I hope it can inject some sort of sense into the mess.

But to have another U.S. lackey regurgitate the reigning opinion here is certainly not the answer.

We all have seen very well where Tony Blair leads. And I sure do not want to follow there.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. If you don't want ot hear it from Blair, you can hear it from me

In the end, the peace will be gained only when the Israelis end the occupation and the Palestinians recognize Israel's right to exist as a nation. As part of their end, the Palestinians will have to insure that private armies do not usurp the Palesintian government's right to make war and peace.

The PA must be resposnsible for the actions of the militants.

[drdon326]

7. Here you go, Jack...

Palestinians Hail Female Bomber As Hero

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20040115/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians

The first female Hamas suicide bomber was given a hero's funeral Thursday, a day after killing four Israeli border guards, and Israel sealed the Gaza Strip (news - web sites) to review security at border crossings.

The closure prevented thousands of Palestinian workers from getting to their jobs in Israel and a nearby industrial zone. The workers, among the few with jobs in the impoverished region, worried life would only become more difficult — but few were willing to openly blame militants for their new hardship.

...............................................................

kind of warms your heart, doesnt it.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. From that article . . .

Some workers, though unwilling to directly criticize Hamas, questioned the wisdom of Wednesday's attack. "I think we have the right to fight to end the occupation, but at the same time we have to think 100 times before any act," said Fawaz Radwan, 42, who works in a factory near the Israeli town of Ashkelon.
Even such veiled criticism remains relatively rare, though some Palestinians grumble in private about tighter travel bans or other hardships prompted by the militants' actions. In a society where consensus is valued, criticizing the armed groups openly is seen by many as a betrayal.

As I have been saying, there are more effective ways of fighting the occupation than suicide bombings. It looks like some people on the street are starting to realize this, too.

[GabysPoppy]

9. What would be even better

If the number of people supporting suicide bombers decrease from the 50% or so and some responsible people start talking with each other.

Also if the 50% who don't support terrorism start voicing their displeasure even louder.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Yes, that would be better

!!