Geller helps 'conjure' up deal

2005-11-28 22:07

Geneva - Entertainer and psychic Uri Geller played an unusual role in breaking the ice during talks on a historic deal between the Palestinian Red Crescent and its Israeli counterpart by bending spoons, diplomats revealed.

Geller, who is head of the Friends of Magen David Adom, a key fundraising arm of the Israeli relief agency, proved the point at the signing ceremony in the Swiss city of Geneva by gently rubbing a few spoons out of shape.

"Uri Geller did not just help break the ice with the skills that have made him famous - a considerable number of bent spoons line the road that led to this agreement," said Swiss foreign minister Micheline Calmy-Rey.

"He has also played a pivotal role in helping everyone focus on the main objective and overcoming differences over secondary details at key junctures," she told the assembled dignitaries.

A bright-eyed Geller, whose claims to have telepathic powers have been contested, returned the compliment, praising the determination of the negotiators.

"It was sheer willpower," he remarked with a wink, bending yet another a spoon for Palestinian Red Crescent chief Younis Al-Khatib and promising to stop him smoking.

- AFP