Britain's new prime minister set on putting 'B' back in British
As Gordon Brown takes over from Tony Blair Wednesday, he's focused on improving the country's social cohesion.
from the June 27, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
"What we are going to see is a more traditional British prime minister, who believes in cabinet and parliamentary government," says Mr. Marshall-Andrews. "That is long overdue. The sort of neopresidential style is something which would not suit Gordon Brown." Tony Blair steps down Wednesday with the prospect of becoming the international community's Middle East negotiator.
Mr. Blair stopped short Tuesday of confirming that he'd been tapped to take up the vacant role as envoy of the so-called Middle East Quartet – the US, European Union, United Nations, and Russia – who are mediating the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
But officials and diplomats have signaled that an announcement is imminent, and Blair said Tuesday that he was ready to do "whatever I can" to help revive peace efforts.
The US lobbied strongly for his appointment, and both Israelis and the Fatah Palestinian faction are thought to have raised no strong objections.
Blair has significant experience dealing with antagonists in the region and plenty of contacts to draw from if he does accept the role. He can point to tireless efforts throughout his 10-year prime ministry to bring both sides together, and notable success in persuading President Bush to prioritize the peace process as the Iraq war was gathering steam.
But some are baffled at the prospect of Blair taking on the role because the Arab world is still incensed by his involvement in Iraq.
"This move will be interpreted as self-interest and Blair will be seen as acting in the services of Israel and Washington," says Rosemary Hollis, a Middle East expert at London's Chatham House think tank. "He cannot rise above the labeling he has got as a result of the past eight years."
Michael Moore, a British parliamentarian, said: "An international envoy needs credibility with all the key players. After Iraq, who believes in Tony Blair?"
Blair likely to take Mideast envoy post
LONDON – Tony Blair steps down Wednesday with the prospect of becoming the international community’s Middle East negotiator.
Mr. Blair stopped short Tuesday of confirming that he’d been tapped to take up the vacant role as envoy of the so-called Middle
East Quartet – the US, European Union, United Nations, and Russia – who are mediating the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace
process.
But officials and diplomats have signaled that an announcement is imminent, and Blair said Tuesday that he was ready to do
“whatever I can” to help revive peace efforts.
The US lobbied strongly for his appointment, and both Israelis and the Fatah Palestinian faction are thought to have raised
no strong objections.
Blair has significant experience dealing with antagonists in the region and plenty of contacts to draw from if he does accept
the role. He can point to tireless efforts throughout his 10-year prime ministry to bring both sides together, and notable
success in persuading President Bush to prioritize the peace process as the Iraq war was gathering steam.
But some are baffled at the prospect of Blair taking on the role because the Arab world is still incensed by his involvement
in Iraq.
“This move will be interpreted as self-interest and Blair will be seen as acting in the services of Israel and Washington,”
says Rosemary Hollis, a Middle East expert at London’s Chatham House think tank. “He cannot rise above the labeling he has
got as a result of the past eight years.”
Michael Moore, a British parliamentarian, said: “An international envoy needs credibility with all the key players. After
Iraq, who believes in Tony Blair?”
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