Wishing John Kerry success

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2013
Wishing John Kerry success

US Secretary of State John Kerry is to be congratulated on getting things going between Israel and the Palestinians. His quiet diplomacy seems to be working.

The talks, stalled since 2010, are set to resume. Israel has approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners, which is a good start. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have agreed that the talks would “serve as an opportunity to develop a procedural work plan for how the parties can proceed with the negotiations in the coming months”.
I am curious what has happened to Tony Blair, the multimillionaire “ambassador” to the region assigned to this task some time ago. Perhaps he is too busy with his expensive lecture tour or helping out with all of the consultancies he has obtained in the region. 
Richard Bowler
Bangkok