BLAIR TAKES JOB WITH JP MORGAN

Blair takes job with JPMorgan, will continue Mideast role

Posted 1h 39m ago

JERUSALEM (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has accepted a part-time job as strategic adviser to the JPMorgan Chase & Co. bank, but it will not affect his work as an international Mideast peace envoy, a Blair spokeswoman in Israel said Thursday.

As the representative of the Quartet of Mideast peace negotiators — the U.S., European Union, U.N. and Russia — Blair's mandate is to help the Palestinians build up their economy and governing bodies in preparation for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Spokeswoman Ruti Winterstein said Blair would advise JPMorgan's senior management team, "drawing on his international experience, and provide strategic advice and provide insights on global issues." The appointment, effective Thursday, will be the only banking commitment Blair will take, and will not infringe on his Quartet duties, Winterstein said.

"He will continue as Quartet representative in the exact way, with the same level of commitment and time input," she said.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-01-10-mideast-blair_N.htm