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U.S. floats idea of Blair as Middle East envoy

By WASHINGTON POST
Published June 21, 2007

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is laying the groundwork for an announcement of Tony Blair as special Middle East envoy for Palestinian governance and economic issues after he steps down as Britain's prime minister Wednesday, following two months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Washington Post reported, citing anonymous U.S. officials.

Blair would report to the so-called Quartet overseeing Middle East peace efforts - the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia - and focus on issues limited to the internal workings of a future Palestinian state. Political negotiations involving Palestinians, Israelis and the Arab states would be left to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the officials said.

The idea, first proposed by Rice, was embraced by the Israeli government during talks between President Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this week. "We believe Blair can make a very positive contribution to the peace process, " Israeli Embassy spokesman David Siegel said.

The Palestinians have yet to be sounded, but U.S. officials believe they would welcome a Blair appointment.

The administration also still has to win formal support for Blair from the Russians, according to U.S. officials who said the news began to leak about Blair's potential appointment before consultations were complete.

[Last modified June 21, 2007, 00:40:23]