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U.S. backs Jibril Rajoub as Arafat's sole security chief

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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