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Photo: Reuters
James. D. Wolfensohn
Photo: Reuters

Report: Quartet envoy weighs resignation

New York Times reports Middle East envoy of the main Western nations involved in dormant peace process, James. D. Wolfensohn, told his staff that without clear mandate on policy toward Hamas, he would leave his job at end of April

WASHINGTON - The New York Times reported on Sunday that Middle East envoy of the main Western nations involved in the dormant peace process, James. D. Wolfensohn, told his staff on Saturday that without a clear mandate on a policy toward Hamas, he would leave his job at the end of April, a staff member said.

 

According to the report, one staff member said Wolfensohn said he had agreed to extend his work another month, through April, to avoid giving the wrong signal by shutting down his office just after the Israeli election on March 28.

 

Wolfensohn, the former head of the World Bank, was appointed the envoy of the so-called quartet — the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations — to oversee Israel's pullout from Gaza last August and to help the Palestinians make Gaza a success through investment and job creation.

 

But Hamas’ victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections caused Israel to halt the transfer of funds to the PA, with the U.S. also announcing stoppage of aid and demanding the PA give back USD 50 million previously funneled to the Authority for development projects.

 

Following the disengagement Wolfensohn demanded that Israel open the border crossings to people and merchandise, but in light of the new reality on the ground he realizes that Israel may have a hard time complying with his demand.

 

The Quartet, for its part, is demanding that Hamas recognize Israel, denounce terror and abide by previous agreements reached between Israel and the PA since Oslo – but Hamas is showing no intention of budging, leaving Wolfensohn devoid of any substantial ability to assist the Palestinians.

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.12.06, 07:42
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