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Secretary Clinton announces "intensified" role for Tony Blair on Middle East

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said today that Quartet Representative Tony Blair is going to “intensify” his partnership with U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East George Mitchell as part of American efforts to get the Israelis and the Palestinians into peace talks.

Secretary Clinton spoke with Tony Blair about developments in the region, saying after the call that he would broaden his current role as Quartet Representative and "intensify his partnership" with Senator Mitchell in support of the attempt to revive political negotiations.
"Tony Blair, as the Quartet Representative, will intensify his partnership with Senator Mitchell in support of the political negotiations," Secretary Clinton said in a statement.

She said that he will also “continue, with full support by and co-ordination with Senator Mitchell, to mobilise the efforts of the international community: to build support for the institutional capacity and governance of a future Palestinian State, including on the rule of law; to improve freedom of movement and access for Palestinians; to encourage further private sector investment; and to bring change in the living conditions of the people in Gaza."

A spokesman for Tony Blair said: "Quartet Representative Tony Blair will deepen his partnership with Senator Mitchell in support of the political negotiations, and continue to work with the Palestinians to prepare for statehood as part of the international community’s effort to secure peace. Tony Blair believes that by focusing on the bottom up change agenda we can create a positive context for political negotiations to succeed in.

“Over the last year, working to support Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on his plan for Palestinian statehood, we have made real progress on the West Bank, but there’s obviously much more to do, especially in Gaza where we need a new strategy."

You can read Secretary Clinton’s statement in full here