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11/17/06

Independent: Blair snubbed by Europe's Middle East initiative - by Anne Penketh, Colin Brown and Donald Macintyre

For the complete report in the Independent click on this link

Blair snubbed by Europe's Middle East initiative - by Anne Penketh, Colin Brown and Donald Macintyre

A rift between Britain and France deepened last night as three European countries launched a surprise Middle East initiative to halt the violence and hold out prospects of an eventual long term settlement.

The plan, agreed by France, Italy and Spain, was announced by the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, yesterday at a summit with French President Jacques Chirac. Mr Zapatero said stability and security in the Middle East meant stability and security for the world.

Britain angered its European partners on Monday when Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, watered down a statement that would have condemned Israel for the shelling.

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