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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Mideast Envoy Tony Blair. photo: flash90
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| By Israel Insider staff July 23, 2007 |
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Israeli officials made clear that talks between the Quartet's newly appointed Mideast envoy, Tony Blair, and Hamas would be unacceptable. However, a number of leading political figures, including former US Secretary of State Colin Powell and the current foreign ministers of Spain, France and Italy are urging Blair to hold discussions with the militant Islamic group, considered a terrorist organization by the US, EU and Israel.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri announced on Monday that Hamas would be willing to talk to Blair, despite the group's initial outrage at his appointment.
"We won't say no to anyone, including Tony Blair," Zuri said on Monday, in an interview published in the London-based Times. "We are willing to maintain ties with anyone as long as it isn't the occupier."
However, Blair, who is scheduled to arrive on Monday for meetings in Jerusalem and Ramallah, is not expected to meet with representatives from Hamas. Hamas has carried out numerous terrorist attacks in Israel and continues to fire missiles on towns surrounding the Gaza Strip. The militant group refuses calls to renounce terror and recognize Israel.
Israeli officials intend to convey two central messages to Blair in their upcoming meetings with him. First, they intend to welcome the Mideast envoy in his new capacity, and secondly, to reiterate Israeli expectations that Blair will follow through on his mandate to create Palestinian institutions of governance.
"The way we understand his mandate, he will concentrate on building institutions in the Palestinian Authority to bolster the chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, and this is what we will discuss with him," a source in the Prime Minister's Office said last night.
"He has a clear mandate to ensure that the PA will be strong and take care of its citizens, and this is something we also want. As far as the final status settlement is concerned - this will be carried out in direct negotiations with the Palestinians," the source said.
Blair is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak today, and will meet with opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Vice Premier Haim Ramon and President Shimon Peres Monday.
Blair will also go to Ramallah on Monday, where he will meet with Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayad.
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