Blair proposes tripartite committee to monitor progress

Quartet envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair is proposing the creation of a tripartite committee that would press for reforms in the Palestinian security organizations, and for improvements in the freedom of movement in the West Bank.

This is one of the ideas that Blair recently offered Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as part of a plan of action. Blair calls his plan The Rapid Effect Project, and he is of the opinion that in the coming month or two, it is necessary to carry out a series of high-profile actions that will create a feeling among the Palestinians in the West Bank that there are positive developments that will improve their lives.

The tripartite committee is meant to monitor the implementation of commitments made by both sides in matters of security in the West Bank.

For Israel, this would mean various steps to ease conditions for the Palestinians, while for the PA, in addition to various reforms, it would require action against Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

During recent talks with Israeli officials, Blair was asked about his overall involvement. He said it stems from the fact that only a clear political horizon will enable an economic and security plan to be implemented.

Blair is convinced that without significant Palestinian efforts to counter terrorism, there is no chance to achieve genuine progress.

However, Blair also told Olmert that it is very important to remove road blocks on roads in the West Bank, stating that these pose a main obstacle to economic activity in the West Bank.

Blair also put forth a series of economic steps, some of which require significant Israeli assistance.

The first is the establishment of a new Palestinian city near Ramallah. This is a subject that was already raised in talks among Israel, the PA and the United States.

The Quartet envoy thinks that in a new city, it would be possible to settle tens of thousands of Palestinians living in dreadful conditions and poverty in refugee camps.

Blair is also proposing using Jericho as a model for the method for transferring to the PA full control over urban centers in the West Bank. The former British prime minister was appointed by the Quartet to work on helping the Palestinian Authority build institutions of government. In parallel, he is holding a broad series of meetings with both sides and internationally, in matters pertaining to the Annapolis summit.