Arab's Doubt Blair Can Succeed In Middle East

Blair's New Job: Envoy in Middle East

Arabs doubt Blair can succeed in Middle East

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From the latest analysis of Tony Blair in his new position as Middle East envoy for the quartet, most Arab leaders feel that he will not succeed in bringing change much less peace.  Here is the most recent analysis from Middle East leaders:

"His subservience to Bush and the fact what he walked in Bush's shadow do not augur well," said Mohamed Habib, deputy leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood movement.

"It is the U.S. administration that acts and which does everything necessary for its own interest. Blair cannot be independent in his vision from what the U.S. administration wants," he told Reuters.

An aide to Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Gaza and prime minister in the Palestinian government dismissed earlier this month, said the Islamist movement did not expect Blair to be even-handed. Hamas controls Gaza and faces isolation by Israel, the United States and the European Union.

"He has always adopted the American and Israeli positions," added the aide, Ghazi Hamad.

Political analysts in Lebanon, North Africa and the Gulf were also skeptical about the prospects for Blair's endeavor.

"The appointment of Blair is a big mistake. He is not the ideal man for the peace process in the Middle East. His alliance with the United States ... will weaken his role as a mediator. I do not think he will succeed in his mission," said Algerian political analyst Ismail Maaref Ghalia.

Moroccan analyst Miloud Belkaid said Blair could use his new role to try to improve his reputation. "But the dynamics of the broader situation in the region are working against such an ambition, from Iraq to the Palestinian territories," he added.

"I don't know how he (Blair) is going to be able to compensate for his history towards many issues that he dealt with in the Arab world... I imagine that his mission is going to be difficult and complicated unless he takes some extraordinary steps, which I doubt," said Lebanese analyst Rafik Nasrallah.

Bahraini analyst and editor Mansoor Al Jamri said Blair's previous record would taint his chances of success.

"He's going to be seen as a spokesperson for the U.S. administration and the pro-Israeli lobbies... He has gone too far in his connections with the Jewish lobbies," he added.

A rare voice of optimism was that of Fatah negotiator Saeb Erekat. "The Palestinians wholeheartedly support Mr. Blair's appointment and hope that his appointment offers a genuine opportunity for peace," Erekat said. "Palestinians and Israelis do not need any more words or fanfare; we need action."  http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070628/wl_nm/mideast_blair_arabs_dc;_ylt=AoqomgNtSiJoG652i3KhXV3MWM0F

Certainly, even a leader with Mr. Blair's credentials would have a tough time succeeding as a Middle East peace envoy, but truthfully, he will succeed or fail based upon the timing of the Lord and not on analysis from Arab leaders.

As I said in my last article, if this is God's timing he will succeed, but if it's not, it may be a blueprint for future Middle East envoys.  I still believe the ultimate peace plan will be devised by the future ruler of the European Union.  Whether this person will turn out to be Tony Blair is anyone's guess.

Right now, between the proposed Middle East summertime war and the appointment of Tony Blair as ME peace envoy, the next few months should provide a lot of answers and maybe even some direction.

Are you ready to meet the Lord?  If not, your time is running out!

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Terry Malone