BLAIR ON P.A.; P.A. ON BLAIR

Blair: Ending violence is prerequisite
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a whirlwind one-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, made clear that the international meeting he envisions in London would deal with Palestinian reform, and would not be an international peace conference. Both Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the idea, but for different reasons: Sharon because it would facilitate Palestinian reform, and Abbas because he views it as a first step toward reviving the peace process. Blair also made it clear that an end to terrorism is a precondition for negotiations.

Palestinian PM slams Blair plan
Qurie said he rejected Blair’s suggestion that Palestinians needed reform before there could be progress on the peace process. “We reject these remarks. They are unacceptable and we are capable and have the means and expertise for peace and negotiations,” Qurie told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. “It is the Israeli side that requires rehabilitation for peace not us ... We are in need of a peace conference and not a meeting.”

"NOW GIVE US OUR MONEY SO WE CAN KEEP BUYING EXPLOSIVES AND DACHAS!!!!," HE ADDED.

SEE ALSO: Blair Pays Respects at Arafat's Grave Prime Minister Blair inspected a Palestinian honor guard with Arafat's likely successor, Mahmoud Abbas, before stopping for a moment in front of the glass-walled mausoleum built for Arafat in Ramallah. Blair nodded and there was a moment's silence. The Palestinians would have liked Blair to lay a wreath at the grave, as Foreign Minister Jack Straw did last month, but Blair's delegation had ruled this out and agreed to the pause before the tomb instead. (Daily Mail-UK)