Thursday, March 27, 2003

[10:40 AM] In their joint press conference today, George W. Bush and Tony Blair talked about all things Iraq. Listening to comments from a number of commentators afterward showed some surprise that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict keeps working its way into the conversation. Here’s what Tony Blair had to say

In addition, as has just been said to you, we had an excellent discussion of the Middle East, and we both share a complete determination to move this forward. It is, indeed, often overlooked that President Bush is the first U.S. President publicly to commit himself to a two-state solution, an Israel confident of its security and a viable Palestinian state. And I welcome the decision announced recently to publish the road map as soon as the confirmation of the new Palestinian Prime Minister is properly administered.

This shouldn’t surprise anyone. This is a very serious issue for the British government. I think one can say without being accused of cynicism that it is simply not for the Bush administration. Tony Blair is questioned about this repeatedly during Prime Minister’s question time. This is from February 5

John Robertson (Glasgow, Anniesland): Does my right hon. Friend agree that a peace settlement in Palestine and Israel is of paramount importance to the peace process in the Middle East? Does he also agree that if George Bush put as much effort into an Israeli-Palestinian agreement as he has into promoting a war in Iraq, the whole country would be a lot better off?

The Prime Minister: I certainly agree with one aspect of my hon. Friend's question. I believe that pushing forward the Middle East peace process is an urgent priority for the world, irrespective of what happens in Iraq—it is right in its own terms. The conference we held in London was, I think, successful, and a follow-up conference is happening on 10 February. It is vital that we make progress on three aspects—security, political reform in the Palestinian Authority, and the development of final status talks based on the twin-state solution of Israel and a viable Palestinian state.

Prime Minister’s Question Time is great and always spirited. CSPAN shows a replay of it on Sunday nights (PMQT takes place on Wednesdays). One can’t watch the eloquence of Tony Blair and help but wonder what it would be like to see George W. Bush answer some of the difficult questions put to the prime minister.

# posted 10:43 AM