This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7634894.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mid-East Quartet 'has lost grip' | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The Quartet of international powers has "lost its grip" on the Middle East peace process which it is meant to foster, a group of aid agencies says. | |
In a damning report, the agencies say the Quartet - Russia, the US, the EU and the UN - is failing in its mission. | |
Conditions for Palestinians, which it was meant to improve, have worsened since peace talks recommenced under US sponsorship in 2007, the agencies say. | |
In the West Bank there was an increase in Israeli settlement and travel curbs. | |
The report was issued ahead of a Quartet meeting in New York on Friday. | The report was issued ahead of a Quartet meeting in New York on Friday. |
"The Annapolis process [launched by the US in November 2007] was meant to herald a new dawn for the Middle East peace process," said Christian Aid director Daleep Mukarji. | |
Unless there is a swift and dramatic improvement, it will be necessary to question what the future is for the Middle East Quartet Aid agency report class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7148175.stm">Palestinian aid: Where will it go? | |
"Nearly one year on, we are seeing exponential settlement growth, additional check-points and - because of this - further economic stagnation. | |
"The Quartet is losing its grip on the Middle East peace process." | |
There has been no immediate response from the Quartet, whose representative in the region is former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. | |
Missed objectives | |
The Bush administration wanted the November 2007 peace summit at Annapolis to lead to a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians before it left office but this is looking increasingly unlikely. | |
The coalition of 21 aid agencies - including Oxfam, Save the Children, Care, Cafod and World Vision - warned that the peace process would fall apart unless the Quartet made swift and dramatic progress towards its goals. | |
The report says there has been no change in a number of the 10 main objectives set by the Quartet to help improve the daily lives of the Palestinians and in five of them an actual deterioration. | |
It had failed to hold Israel to account for expanding the settlements on occupied land, the report added. | |
The agencies say this week's Quartet meeting would take place at "a critical moment to demonstrate that it can play an effective role in bringing peace to the Middle East". | |
"Unless there is a swift and dramatic improvement, it will be necessary to question what the future is for the Middle East Quartet," it said. | |
"We are facing a vacuum in leadership," said Care International representative Martha Myers. "The Quartet's credibility is on the line." |
Previous version
1
Next version