Tony Blair, economic plan to help PA

      The Quartet's Mideast envoy Tony Blair on Tuesday praised a Palestinian development plan that seeks $5.6 billion in aid over three years, and urged donor countries to provide the required funds. Some 90 countries and international organizations are to meet in Paris next week to consider the aid request. Describing the plan as coherent, Blair noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have also come out in support of it. "This is the moment, where if we are not to back the Palestinians in this endeavor, when they are presenting that type of plan, in a way that I think they have never done before ... if we are not prepared to back the Palestinians now, then we are not prepared to give them a chance," Blair said. One element of the plan seeks to boost tourism, and Blair did his part Tuesday, saying biblical Bethlehem is a safe place to visit. He urged countries warning against travel to Bethlehem to reconsider their travel advisories. "There is no reason for people not to come here and stay overnight, which I am doing tonight," Blair said. Bethlehem tourism officials have complained that pilgrims usually come to Bethlehem on bus trips from nearby Jerusalem, briefly visit the Church of the Nativity, built over Jesus' traditional birth grotto, and then leave town. Blair, after visiting a trade exhibition in the town, said the commitment to lifting restrictions on movement and access by Israel will be tested in Bethlehem over Christmas. (19,36)