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Blair Floats Palestinian Jobs Plan

Mideast envoy offers 'quick impact project' ahead of Annapolis summit

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Nov 19, 2007 11:00 AM CST

(Newser) – In his first major undertaking as the international community's Mideast envoy, Tony Blair will disclose plans today to provide tens of thousands of jobs for Palestinians, the Guardian reports. The multimillion-dollar projects come in the lead-up to the peace talks in Annapolis next week. "This is part of the Blair mandate to find 'quick impact projects,'" said a British official.

The projects, which Blair describes as "designed to give some sense things could change on the ground," will likely include a trade park and road construction in the West Bank. That represents a possible work-around for Israeli checkpoints that impede commerce in the occupied territories. Another potential project is a sewage system in Gaza; how that will sit with Hamas, which controls the area, is unclear.

Middle East envoy Tony Blair, left, gestures during a joint press conference with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, right, and France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, not seen, at Fayyad's... (Associated Press)

Middle East envoy and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, looks at a book of Palestinian school children, during a visit to Kalandia refugee camp, between the West Bank town of Ramallah and the... (Associated Press)

Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, center, and Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair, right, and France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner,left, shakes hands during a meeting at Fayyad's office... (Associated Press)

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Blair Floats Palestinian Jobs Plan

Mideast envoy offers 'quick impact project' ahead of Annapolis summit

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Party shares blame with Israel for sky-high unemployment

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Ban on weapons remains in force

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Mideast envoy offers 'quick impact project' ahead of Annapolis summit

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Tony Blair • Middle East • Gaza • Palestine • West Bank • Israel and Palestinians

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Gaza Militants OK Israel Cease-Fire

Egypt brokers deal to stop escalating violence

Gazans Blame Hamas for Economic Woes

Party shares blame with Israel for sky-high unemployment

Israel Eases Gaza Blockade

Ban on weapons remains in force

Obama Wants Israel to Take its Medicine

And Israel hates him for it

Mideast Peace Would Justify Obama's Nobel

There's consensus on a deal; the president is the guy to get it done

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Newser By Users

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