Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has distanced himself from a proposal that would require countries to pay a $1 billion fee to obtain permanent membership of a peace board chaired by US President Donald Trump.
Blair, who has been appointed to the executive body of the newly proposed peace board, “declined to endorse the request for the funds, which is part of a draft charter for the nascent organisation, in a further sign that the details of the peace board are provoking opposition from US allies and partners over Trump’s project,” Bloomberg News reported.
The news agency cited spokesperson for Tony Blair as saying on Sunday that he isn’t involved in determining the board’s membership, indicating he would not publicly support the proposal. The spokesperson added that questions about the $1 billion fee should be directed to the Trump administration.
Sources familiar with the matter said some countries are likely to refuse to join the board because of Trump’s terms. Other countries may be willing in principle to join the board of peace but are expected to reject paying a fee for permanent membership.
