If you read some of the highly spun comments here in the Uk it sounds as if Tony Blair is Secretary of State for George Bush in the Middle East in all but name. If you read the sensible statement from Miss Rice in the USA, Mr Blair’s task is much more limited. He is to help the Palestinians build their institutions. He has not been sent to broker a Middle Eastern peace settlement.

Mr Blair may believe he can bring the patience and skills he showed in the Northern Ireland peace process to the Midle East. He has to learn first that he is not in the same powerful position vis a vis Israel and Palestine that he was vis a vis Ireland as the Uk Prime Minister. He also needs to work at winning the trust of the true US ??Secretary of State, instead of trying to push the limits of the remit before he has even begun.

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