Blair: Hamas must be part of peace talks
Wednesday, 21 January 2009 12:00 AM
By Laura Miller
Hamas must be part of talks to secure peace in the Middle East, former PM Tony Blair said today.
Speaking in his role as Middle East peace envoy Blair told reporters in Abu Dhabi: "We all want Palestinian unity, including with Hamas, but it has to be on the right terms. It has got to be on terms consistent with the two-state solution. That is the issue now."
He represents the views of the diplomatic Quartet - the United States, Russia, Europe and the UN - which has played a key role in trying to broker a ceasefire between the warring parties, and now backs plans for a roadmap that would see a Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside a secure Israel.
"The issue is not whether we talk to Hamas or not. The issue is whether there is a basis for talking," he told reporters at an energy summit in Abu Dhabi.
The "basis" is Hamas' recognition of Israel.
Blair's comments echo rumours from the then President-elect Obama's camp earlier this month that he would be more receptive to talks with the Palestinian group than president Bush.
"This is going to be an administration that is committed to negotiating with critical parties on critical issues," one source said.
Blair has been criticised for being conspicuously quiet during Israel's three week bombardment of Gaza that has left 1300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead.
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