U.S. backs Jibril Rajoub as Arafat's sole security chief
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, May 3, 2002
The Bush administration will press the Palestinian Authority to reform and centralize its network of security agencies.
U.S. officials said the White House told House and Senate leaders
that President George Bush wants PA Chairman Yasser Arafat to disbands most of the agencies and
form one security and intelligence organization for the West Bank and Gaza
Strip.
Officials said the White House will urge Arafat to appoint Col. Jibril
Rajoub as Arafat's sole security chief. Rajoub is said to be closest to the
United States and his Preventive Security Apparatus has been funded and
trained by the CIA, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We have decided that we will no longer tolerate a web of security
agencies," a U.S. government source involved in the effort said. "In the
rebuilding, there will now be only one agency."
The administration's pledge was relayed to Congress, which drafted
resolutions that expressed support for Israel and opposition to the PA. On
Thursday, the House and Senate approved two separate resolutions that
condemned Palestinian suicide bombings and asserted that the United States
and Israel are "engaged in a common struggle against terrorism."
The administration tried to stop the Senate from calling for additional
U.S. aid to Israel. Israel now receives $3 billion in economic and military
aid.
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