Blair. Held up by troops
Photo: Reuters
Qureia: Brutal and provocative
Photo: AP
Palestinians: Border Guard troops delayed Tony Blair
PA negotiator Ahmed Qureia slams delay of Quartet envoy's convoy at West Bank checkpoint as 'brutal and provocative;' Army says soldiers followed protocol on uncoordinated entry of armed security detail
The Palestinian Authority accused Border Guard soldiers stationed at the Abu Dis checkpoint in the West Bank of holding up a convoy transporting the Quartet's envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair, on Tuesday. Blair was on his way to meet chief Palestinian negotiator, Ahmed Qureia.
Palestinian sources said that in addition to the delay, Border Guard troops also surrounded Fatah's offices in Abu Dis, where the two leaders held their meeting.
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Also present were US Consul General in Jerusalem, Jack Walles, and the Italian consul general.
After a short argument with Blair's entourage, soldiers allowed the convoy to pass. When Blair arrived at the meeting, Qureia condemned the troops' behavior and dubbed it "brutal and provocative".
Qureia told the British envoy that the soldiers' behavior was symptomatic of the new Israeli government's attitude, "which doesn't respect its commitments and is uninterested in honoring past agreements, including Annapolis."
The Border Guard stated in response that a preliminary inquiry into the incident revealed a different version of events, asserting that the soldiers were acting in accordance to guidelines which state that the entrance of armed security personnel through any checkpoint must be coordinated in advance.
Aside from the incident, Qureia and Blair discussed political issues and the easing of restrictions in the West Bank. Qureia updated Blair on the internal Palestinian talks between Hamas and Fatah, which have been frozen until the end of the month.
