A secret plan to incorporate fighters from the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and other militants into the official Palestinian security system is starting to take shape here, as British security experts help to create a training infrastructure for Palestinian police forces.
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Gunmen who have become increasingly violent and apparently beyond the control of the official security forces will be given uniforms and disciplinary training, the source said.
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We're not going to be vetting who the Palestinians choose to bring to the training center," the senior British official said. "So it's up to the Palestinians to select who they want trained, and we have no idea who they'll choose."
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Hard-line Al Aqsa members have stepped up their rhetoric against the leadership of Mr. Abbas and his aides, with one 29-year-old representative of the brigades in Bethlehem telling reporters on Tuesday that his men "want to kill" Mr. Abbas, the newly chosen Palestine Liberation Organization chairman.

America will be handing over $20 million to the PA, Galei Tzahal (Army) Radio reported early this morning. US Secretary of State Colin Powell will inform PA leaders of the White House gesture during his upcoming visit to Ramallah next week.

Under pressure from key lawmakers, the Bush administration said on Thursday it would work with Congress on plans to resume direct U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority.

The State Department told key congressional committees on Wednesday it intended to rush $20 million to the authority to help organize elections in January and pay Palestinian salaries, and that it would not need congressional approval to do so.
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Other lawmakers demanded greater oversight to ensure that U.S. taxpayer money would not be siphoned off by corrupt officials or used by terrorist groups.

- posted by Jean @ 2:27 PM |