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Palestinian official accuses Blair of bias towards Israel
Sunday October 02, 2011 08:40:31 AM,
IANS
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Ramallah: A senior
Palestinian official Saturday slammed Tony Blair, former British
prime minister and special envoy of the Middle East mediating
quartet, accusing him of being biased to Israel.
Nabil Shaath, a Palestinian negotiator, told a news conference in
the West Bank city of Ramallah that the Palestinians "are outraged
and dissatisfied over Blair's behavior shortly before a
Palestinian request was submitted to the United Nations for full
membership of a Palestinian state on Sep 23", reported Xinhua.
"The former British prime minister is only seeking to make Israel
satisfied," said Shaath, who is also a member in President Mahmoud
Abbas Fatah Party's Central Committee.
On Sep 23, Abbas addressed the UN General Assembly shortly after
he submitted an official request to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
for full membership of a Palestinian state at the world
organisation.
Earlier media reports quoted official Palestinian sources as
saying that due to Blair's supportive position to Israel, which
opposes Palestine's UN bid, the Palestinians are considering
calling for his sack from the post. The quartet comprises the
United States, the UN, the European Union and Russia.
Shaath denied the reports. However, Shaath said that Blair's
stance was criticized by the Palestinian leadership as he demanded
the Palestinians accept a resumption of direct peace talks with
Israel and avoid the bid to the UN.
Palestinian officials had earlier slammed Blair's request, saying
he neglected their demands of having a reference to the peace
talks, halting settlement constructions and recognizing the
principle of the two-state solution.
Blair was chosen to be the quartet's envoy in 2007.
Shaath had called on the quartet to make its position clear
concerning the settlement cessation and the international
references for the Middle East peace process.
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