Blair believes in an independent Palestine, Jewish group cancel Cook
The British daily Guardian said today that during his coming visit to the Middle East, UK prime Minister Tony Blair will express his country's support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as he spends a full day in Gaza.
The paper quoted British Cabinet sources as saying that Blair will be the first leader to spend the whole day in the Palestinian self-rule territories, and this will send a strong message on the future of the final status of the self-rule territories, despite the fact the peace process has reached an impasse.
The paper added that the time Blair spends in the Palestinian territories will be equal to the time the British leader spends in Israel.
During his tour of the region, Blair will pay a seven-hour visit to Jordan.
Meanwhile, British Junior Foreign Secretary Derek Fatchett asserted Britain's commitment to unconditional Israeli implementation of UN resolution 425, calling for an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon. Interviewed by the BBC on Thursday Fatchett said Israel has no option but to implement 425 as well as other UN resolutions, foremost resolutions 242 and 338, in order to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
Fatchett noted the recent tour concluded by the UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to the region and stated that the top priority given by the UK as current President of the EU is to give the Middle East peace process a push forward. He added that Britain will continue exerting all efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
The Board of Jewish Deputies canceled an invitation they extended to Cook, who stirred up Israeli anger recently by visiting Jabal Abu Ghneim settlement during a trip to Israel. The council justified its decision to cancel the invitation by saying it would avoid violent verbal confrontation between Cook and the representatives of the Board of Jewish Deputies because of his visit to Jabal Abu Ghneim. Cook was to have delivered a speech before the board on the Middle East peace process, British - Israeli relations and the situation of British Jews.
On Wednesday, the Arab-British society held a symposium, attended by Fatchett and the Lebanese ambassador to the UK, Mahmoud Hammoud. The Lebanese ambassador said the conditional Israeli proposals on 425 are attempts to divert attention from the current stalemate in the peace process. He asserted Lebanon's rejection of the Israeli explanations of 425, adding that the Lebanese resistance will continue its armed struggle until south Lebanon is liberated from the Israeli occupation.