Bliar to be Mid-East "envoy"?

Reluctant Hero · Bliar to be Mid-East "envoy"?

You just couldn't make this stuff up...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6222848.stm

Bush 'in envoy talks with Blair'

President Bush has spoken to UK PM Tony Blair about his becoming a Mid-East envoy, a White House official says.
Mr Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice directly discussed the idea with Mr Blair, the official said.

The president would reportedly like him to be an envoy for the quartet of the US, European Union, UN and Russia.

The official spokesman for Mr Blair said "there is a lot of speculation about the prime minister's future and much of it is inaccurate".

The White House official told the BBC that the talks were preliminary, and did not have any comment on Mr Blair's reaction to the suggestion.

The White House official did not know if the president had discussed the idea with the other three members of the peace quartet.

It follows reports on the Al Jazeera TV news network that Mr Blair was set to take up the position, which has been vacant since former World Bank chief James Wolfensohn resigned the post in April 2006.

Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisin said: "Officials in the prime minister's office are aware of this idea and Prime Minister (Ehud) Olmert is very supportive of Prime Minister Blair and of his continuing involvement in the Middle East and the peace process."

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said: "Obviously Prime Minister Blair has been very active and deeply involved in Middle East peace issues throughout his prime ministership."

She added that Mr Blair and the US President spoke often, adding: "It would not surprise me if they have talked about what Prime Minister Blair would like to do following the end of his term... but we don't have anything to announce today".

Jimbo

Has Blair got any credibility left in the Middle East?

Reluctant Hero

gordon899

yes, you know he has thats why he is being lonked with such jobs. good luck to him i say. a good politician will always be in demand.

Jimbo

I don't think this is a case of being in demand, more a case of still being Bush's lackey and posted to the Middle East.

gordon899

no, i think you'll find it is because he is in demand. i can just hear all those middle eastern countries saying, ' we want a bush lackey to be an envoy and help solve the problems in the middle east, bush lackey NOW!'

Holebender

I don't think they want anybody from the west butting in. Do you see any reports of them wanting Blair? Do you see any reports of anyone outside the Bush administration or their lackeys (i.e. Israeli government) wanting Blair for that job?

gordon899

have you seen reports to the contrary. i think he would do very well in the position but i'm sure he has the sense not too touch it witha bargepole.

sandmountainslim

Well.....it is better than Bushy makin him Pivot Man Of The Circle Jerk Smile

Or is it near the same?
WP

Scott2006

According to some news reports Tony Blair is preparing to stand down as an MP as well as Prime Minister - as soon as he can get up to his constituency.
Obviously an elevation to the Lords and a Knighthood would be the usual reward for an out going Prime Minister. But Blair was rumoured to have nearly resigned as PM in January as the Metropolitan Police investigation into Cash-For-Honours almost asked to re-interview him but at that time no longer as a witness but as a suspect.
Lord Blair of Money-in-the-Bung as a special envoy to Palestine... just what the Middle East needs... cripes.

Reluctant Hero

Jimbo

[Quote from BBC report] "Speaking on his last full day as British prime minister, Mr Blair said: "I think that anybody who cares about greater peace and stability in the world knows that a lasting and enduring resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential.

"And I will do whatever I can to help such a resolution come about." [Quote]

Pity he didn't adopt this attitude with regard to Iraq. Does this mean since he wants to bring democracy to the Middle East that he'll recognise the democratically elected Hamas?