Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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October 10, 2007

Mideast Envoy Blair Meets Israeli, Palestinian Leaders
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=19CF0FA:A6F02AD83191E160CB5B5FA8AC8B8D489574F7DCC14957C0 Visit is part of
stepped-up effort by international community to revive peace process
Middle East envoy Tony Blair has returned to the region for another
round of shuttle diplomacy.  As Robert Berger reports from VOA's
Jerusalem bureau, the visit is part of a stepped-up effort by the
international community to revive the peace process.







In this handout photo provided by the Government Press Office, Israeli
PM Ehud Olmert, right, greets Mideast envoy for the Quartet and former
British PM Tony Blair, during their meeting in Jerusalem, 10 Oct.
2007Tony Blair is holding separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian
leaders in Jerusalem and the West Bank.  Blair represents the
so-called "Quartet" of international powers mediating the Middle East
conflict - the European Union, the United Nations, Russia and the
United States.

He is helping the sides draft a document on Palestinian statehood
before an international peace conference in the United States this
year.

Blair has kept a low profile and has not spoken to the media.

Israeli spokesman Mark Regev says his visit comes at a crucial time.

"We are supportive of the Quartet's efforts," Regev said. "We are
hopeful that we do have now (an) opportunity, together with our
Palestinian partners, with the support of the international community,
to make some real progress here in the region."

Israel has strengthened ties with western-backed Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of
the Gaza Strip in June.  Hamas routed the Fatah forces led by Mr.
Abbas, who now heads a moderate government in the West Bank.

Blair is trying to narrow serious differences on the document on
Palestinian statehood.  Israel wants a vague declaration of
principles, but Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia says that it is
not enough.

Qureia said the document must tackle core issues of the conflict, such
as Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, Jewish settlements and final
borders.

Israel believes it is impossible to resolve those issues in a short
time and dealing with them now will lead to an impasse that could
torpedo the peace process.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will follow up on Blair's efforts
when she arrives in Jerusalem Sunday.  




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