Blair Won't Have The Power To Mediate On Peace

The Telegraph reports:

Tony Blair's ambitions for his new role as a Middle East envoy were brought down to earth yesterday after America made it clear that he will have no power to mediate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Instead, the State Department said that Mr Blair will be confined to improving the institutions of the Palestinian Authority.

One former US adviser predicted swift "frustration" for Mr Blair and likened his role to carrying a "tin cup" around the world, raising funds for the Palestinians.

Mr Blair has been named an envoy of the "Quartet" - a group charged with bringing about peace in the Middle East - comprising America, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union.

On the day of his appointment, he told Parliament his "absolute priority" would be to "give effect" to a "two-state solution, which means a state of Israel that is secure and confident of its security and a Palestinian state that is viable, not merely in terms of its territory, but in terms of its institutions".

Then he told the Northern Echo newspaper that his "huge challenge" was to "prepare the ground for a negotiated settlement".

The Bush administration quickly contradicted Mr Blair's sweeping definition of his role. Tom Casey, the State Department's deputy spokesman, made it clear that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will be handled by Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State.

"We'd like to be able to have an envoy to focus very specifically on helping with some of these institution-building tasks for the Palestinian Authority," said Mr Casey.

"But my understanding is there's certainly no envisioning that this individual would be a negotiator on behalf of the Quartet between the Israelis and Palestinians."

In her statement welcoming Mr Blair's appointment, Dr Rice described his task as creating "viable and lasting Palestinian government institutions", strengthening "the Palestinian economy" and establishing "law and order for the Palestinian people". She made no mention of mediating peace talks.

Aaron David Miller, an expert on the Arab-Israeli conflict who advised six secretaries of state, said: "If he [Mr Blair] thinks he's going to be the lead negotiator to set the stage for a political process leading to a two-state solution, it's hard for me to believe that he really believes that.

"I know that's not the role that either the President or the Secretary of State wants for him."

Mr Miller added: "There is no US secretary of state worth his salt - and I worked for six of them - who would ever allow anyone else to have that kind of responsibility."

Instead, Mr Blair's task will be confined to reviving the economies of Gaza and the West Bank and sorting out the Palestinian Authority's shambolic ministries.

James Wolfensohn, the former head of the World Bank, held this job until he resigned in disgust last year.

Israel routinely strangles any economic activity by sealing off the occupied territories and halting the movement of goods and people by using checkpoints and security barriers.

Unless Mr Blair can persuade Israel to lift these restrictions, economic recovery in the occupied territories will be impossible.

"The odds on his getting frustrated quickly are high," said Mr Miller.

"If he lacks the capacity to be tough with the Israelis on the whole host of issues relating to movement - checkpoints, crossing points and all the rest - then his role is essentially Operation Tin Cup. He will carry a tin cup around the world and raise money and not much else."

New British PM Gordon Brown Unveils 'Cabinet of Talents'

Story Highlights
• British PM Gordon Brown holds first meeting with newly appointed cabinet
• Brown promises "new government with new priorities"
• Alistair Darling named finance minister; David Miliband foreign secretary
• Jacqui Smith becomes UK's first female home secretary

CNN reports:

Newly installed British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has held his first cabinet meeting following the UK's biggest government shake-up since the Labour Party came to power in 1997.

Alistair Darling, a longterm political ally of Brown and formerly in charge of transport, was named to the key position of Chancellor of the Exchequer -- the finance role previously held by the new prime minister himself for 10 years.

Former environment minister David Miliband replaced Margaret Beckett as foreign secretary, becoming at 41 the youngest politician since the 1970s to hold one of the UK government's four senior cabinet posts.

"I am tremendously honored," said Miliband, a rising star within Labour ranks who had been tipped as a possible challenger to Brown for the party's leadership.

"The opportunities and challenges of the modern world require, in my view, a diplomacy that is patient as well as purposeful, which listens as well as leads," he told reporters.

Jacqui Smith became the UK's first female home secretary, replacing John Reid as he stepped down from government, while Jack Straw, a former home secretary and foreign secretary, was appointed justice minister.

Despite speculation that Brown would look beyond Labour ranks in building his cabinet, the only non-party appointment saw the former United Nations deputy secretary-general Mark Malloch Brown accept the job of minister for Africa, Asia and the U.N.

Marking the UK government's first change of leadership in a decade, Brown promised "a new government with new priorities" as he addressed reporters outside Dowing Street after taking over from Tony Blair on Wednesday.

"I will build a government that uses all the talents. I will invite men and women of good will to contribute their energies in a new spirit of public service."

Brown faces the task of re-building faith in a Labour administration which has seen its achievements -- including three straight general election victories, peace to Northern Ireland and a sustained economic boom -- tarnished by the Iraq war, the cash-for-honors row and the Blair government's perceived preoccupation with media spin.

Blair was questioned by police for a third time in their investigation of allegations that honors were offered for political contributions, the UK's Press Association reported Thursday. (Full story)

In other developments on Thursday, Brown split the Department of Education into two cabinet posts, separating responsibility for schools and children from a new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

He also abolished the Department for Trade and Industry, creating a new Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

CNN's European Political Editor Robin Oakley said Brown would introduce a different style of government, restoring a more serious tone to British politics after the "sofa-style" decision-making of the Blair years.

"He is a very serious, committed politician very much driven by the values that he learnt from his Presbyterian minister father. We're going to see a lot less glitz and glamour," said Oakley.

"It will be very much a more 'get on the with the job' style of government," said Oakley. "There will be a lot of serious purpose."

New British PM Gordon Brown Unveils 'Cabinet of Talents'

Story Highlights
• British PM Gordon Brown holds first meeting with newly appointed cabinet
• Brown promises "new government with new priorities"
• Alistair Darling named finance minister; David Miliband foreign secretary
• Jacqui Smith becomes UK's first female home secretary

CNN reports:

Newly installed British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has held his first cabinet meeting following the UK's biggest government shake-up since the Labour Party came to power in 1997.

Alistair Darling, a longterm political ally of Brown and formerly in charge of transport, was named to the key position of Chancellor of the Exchequer -- the finance role previously held by the new prime minister himself for 10 years.

Former environment minister David Miliband replaced Margaret Beckett as foreign secretary, becoming at 41 the youngest politician since the 1970s to hold one of the UK government's four senior cabinet posts.

"I am tremendously honored," said Miliband, a rising star within Labour ranks who had been tipped as a possible challenger to Brown for the party's leadership.

"The opportunities and challenges of the modern world require, in my view, a diplomacy that is patient as well as purposeful, which listens as well as leads," he told reporters.

Jacqui Smith became the UK's first female home secretary, replacing John Reid as he stepped down from government, while Jack Straw, a former home secretary and foreign secretary, was appointed justice minister.

Despite speculation that Brown would look beyond Labour ranks in building his cabinet, the only non-party appointment saw the former United Nations deputy secretary-general Mark Malloch Brown accept the job of minister for Africa, Asia and the U.N.

Marking the UK government's first change of leadership in a decade, Brown promised "a new government with new priorities" as he addressed reporters outside Dowing Street after taking over from Tony Blair on Wednesday.

"I will build a government that uses all the talents. I will invite men and women of good will to contribute their energies in a new spirit of public service."

Brown faces the task of re-building faith in a Labour administration which has seen its achievements -- including three straight general election victories, peace to Northern Ireland and a sustained economic boom -- tarnished by the Iraq war, the cash-for-honors row and the Blair government's perceived preoccupation with media spin.

Blair was questioned by police for a third time in their investigation of allegations that honors were offered for political contributions, the UK's Press Association reported Thursday. (Full story)

In other developments on Thursday, Brown split the Department of Education into two cabinet posts, separating responsibility for schools and children from a new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

He also abolished the Department for Trade and Industry, creating a new Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

CNN's European Political Editor Robin Oakley said Brown would introduce a different style of government, restoring a more serious tone to British politics after the "sofa-style" decision-making of the Blair years.

"He is a very serious, committed politician very much driven by the values that he learnt from his Presbyterian minister father. We're going to see a lot less glitz and glamour," said Oakley.

"It will be very much a more 'get on the with the job' style of government," said Oakley. "There will be a lot of serious purpose."

Tony Blair Questioned in Honors Probe

CNN reports:

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was questioned by British police for a third time in their investigation of allegations that honors were offered for political contributions, the Press Association reported Thursday.

The agency, citing unidentified sources, said the interview may have occurred within the past week. The Metropolitan Police refused to say whether Blair had been interrogated again.

No charges have yet resulted from the investigation of claims that honors -- including seats in the House of Lords and knighthoods -- were given in exchange for financial support.

Blair's fund-raiser and Middle East envoy, Lord Levy, and senior aide Ruth Turner are among four people who have been arrested and questioned in the long-running probe.

Police have said previously that Blair had not been questioned under caution, an indication that he was not suspected of any crime.

Bush's & Blair's Last Press Conference

U.S. Invasion of Iraq 'Inevitable'

The United States says American forces will enter Iraq to search for weapons of mass destruction even if President Saddam Hussein complies with an ultimatum to leave.

The BBC reports:
President George W Bush's spokesman Ari Fleischer said that allied troops would go into the country "no matter what", but warned the Iraqi leader that if he did not leave it would be his "final mistake".

Saddam Hussein, has flatly rejected Mr Bush's ultimatum to go into exile within 48 hours or face war.

A statement from a cabinet meeting chaired by the Iraqi president said Iraq and all its people were "fully ready to confront the invading aggressors and repel them".

Iraqis prepare

US Secretary of State Colin Powell earlier said 45 nations had joined Mr Bush's "coalition of the willing" - 30 had promised concrete support whilst 15 preferred to remain unnamed at the moment.

Ahead of the expected US-led bombing, which could start as early as 0100 GMT on Thursday with the expiry of Mr Bush's ultimatum, all United Nations inspectors have now left Iraq.

Saddam Hussein's defiance was echoed by Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri who denounced Mr Bush's as "a war criminal" and accused Washington of trying to "push the United Nations to suicide".

Washington "wanted to use the UN like an office to issue a permit to go to war," Mr Sabri said.

He also criticised the UN's decision to withdraw it staff from Iraq, saying it ran contrary to the world body's responsibilities and had "paved the way for American aggression".

Reporting from the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the BBC's Paul Wood says Iraqis are making final preparations for war - mainly buying food and fuel.

In other developments:

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair makes a passionate plea for support in parliament, following the third resignation of a government member.

Another US ally, Spain, will not send combat troops to Iraq, Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar tells parliament.

Turkey's Cabinet meets to reconsider putting forward a parliamentary motion allowing US troops on its soil and granting US aircraft the right to use Turkish airspace to launch an attack on Iraq.

More foreign diplomats leave Baghdad.

Mr Bush's ultimatum has received widespread international criticism, with countries seeking a peaceful outcome to the crisis condemning Washington's decision to abandon diplomacy and questioning the legality of starting a war.
In his strongest statement yet on the Iraq crisis, Pope John Paul II warned the leaders of the forces gathered against Iraq that they face a grave responsibility before God if they go to war.

However, in an apparent softening of its position, France, one of the staunchest opponents of conflict, said that if Iraq uses weapons of mass destruction it may consider assisting the war effort.

"If Saddam Hussein were to use chemical and biological weapons, this would change the situation completely and immediately for the French Government," France's ambassador to the US, Jean-David Levitte, said.

Defiant leader

Mr Bush's ultimatum to Saddam Hussein and his two sons - Uday and Qusay - was issued during a key speech to the American people from the White House.

But apparently unmoved, the Iraqi leader was shown on state television in a military uniform, chairing a joint meeting of the ruling Ba'ath Party and the decision-making body, the Revolution Command Council.

"Iraq does not choose its path on the orders of a foreigner and does not choose its leaders according to decrees from Washington, London or Tel Aviv, but through the will of the great Iraqi people," the statement from the meeting said.

The Iraqi leader's elder son Uday went on to call on Mr Bush "to leave power with his family".

"Any aggression against Iraq will make them [the Americans] regret their tragic fate and the wives and mothers of the Americans who fight us will cry tears of blood. They should not think themselves safe anywhere in Iraq or abroad," a statement from his office said.

Our correspondent in Baghdad says there is feverish speculation about what last-minute offer Saddam Hussein might make to try to avert the US-UK invasion.

But with the departure of the weapons inspectors, the people of Baghdad know the waiting is almost over, he says.

Trust Tony's Judgment

For The Guardian, former President Bill Clinton writes:

Last October, when I spoke at the Labour conference in Blackpool, I supported the efforts of President Bush and Prime Minister Blair to renew efforts to eliminate Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, and to try to accomplish this through the UN.

In November, the UN security council adopted unanimously resolution 1441, giving Saddam a "final opportunity" to disarm, after 12 years of defying UN resolutions requiring him to do so. The resolution made it clear that continued sanctions were not sufficient and that continued defiance would lead to serious consequences.

The credit for 1441 belongs in large measure to Blair, who saw it as a chance to disarm Saddam in a way that strengthened the UN and preserved the Atlantic alliance. Unfortunately, the consensus behind 1441 has unravelled. Saddam has destroyed some missiles but beyond that he has done only what he thinks is necessary to keep the UN divided on the use of force. The really important issues relating to chemical and biological weapons remain unresolved.

In the face of the foot dragging, hawks in America have been pushing for an immediate attack on Iraq. Some of them want regime change for reasons other than disarmament, and, therefore, they have discredited the inspection process from the beginning; they did not want it to succeed. Because military action probably will require only a few days, they believe the world community will quickly unite on rebuilding Iraq as soon as Saddam is deposed.

On the other side, France, Germany and Russia are adamantly opposed to the use of force or imposing any ultimatum on Saddam as long as the inspectors are working. They believe that, at least as long as the inspectors are there, Iraq will not use or give away its chemical and biological stocks, and therefore, no matter how unhelpful Saddam is, he does not pose a threat sufficient to justify invasion. After 150,000 US forces were deployed to the Gulf, they concluded the US was not willing to give inspections a chance anyway. The problem with their position is that only the threat of force from the US and the UK got inspectors back into Iraq in the first place. Without a credible threat of force, Saddam will not disarm.

Once again, Blair stepped into the breach, with a last-ditch proposal to restore unity to the UN and disarm Saddam without military action. He secured US support for a new UN resolution that would require Saddam to meet dead lines, within a reasonable time, in four important areas, including accounting for his biological and chemical weapons and allowing Iraqi scientists to leave the country for interviews. Under the proposed resolution, failure to comply with this deadline would justify the use of force to depose Saddam.

Russia and France opposed this resolution and said they would veto it, because inspections are proceeding, weapons are being destroyed and there is therefore no need for a force ultimatum. Essentially they have decided Iraq presents no threat even if it never disarms, at least as long as inspectors are there.

The veto threat did not help the diplomacy. It's too bad, because if a majority of the security council had adopted the Blair approach, Saddam would have had no room for further evasion and he still might have disarmed without invasion and bloodshed. Now, it appears that force will be used to disarm and depose him.

As Blair has said, in war there will be civilian was well as military casualties. There is, too, as both Britain and America agree, some risk of Saddam using or transferring his weapons to terrorists. There is as well the possibility that more angry young Muslims can be recruited to terrorism. But if we leave Iraq with chemical and biological weapons, after 12 years of defiance, there is a considerable risk that one day these weapons will fall into the wrong hands and put many more lives at risk than will be lost in overthrowing Saddam.

I wish that Russia and France had supported Blair's resolution. Then, Hans Blix and his inspectors would have been given more time and supprt for their work. But that's not where we are. Blair is in a position not of his own making, because Iraq and other nations were unwilling to follow the logic of 1441.

In the post-cold war world, America and Britain have been in tough positions before: in 1998, when others wanted to lift sanctions on Iraq and we said no; in 1999 when we went into Kosovo to stop ethnic cleansing. In each case, there were voices of dissent. But the British-American partnership and the progress of the world were preserved. Now in another difficult spot, Prime Minister Blair will have to do what he believes to be right. I trust him to do that and hope that Labor MPs and the British people will too.