RAMALLAH Ñ The United States has launched a training program for
Palestinian security officers over Israeli objections that about 2 of 3 trainees have been involved in attacks on Israeli civilians..
Officials said Israel has objected to the participation of at least 100
PA security officers enrolled in the course. They said Israel has charged
that the officers were involved in attacks on Israeli civilians.
The PA has threatened to ban participation in the training course unless
it can choose the officers. Officials said most of those officers who have
encountered Israeli objection come from the General Intelligence service,
headed by Col. Tawfik Tirawi. Tirawi is said to have taken asylum in the
Ramallah office of PA Chairman Yasser Arafat, Middle East Newsline reported.
Instructors from Egypt, Jordan and the United States arrived over the
weekend in the West Bank city of Jericho and are set to begin training of
Palestinian Authority security agency members. The first course is scheduled
to begin on Thursday.
PA officials said the training course will include PA security officers
and civil defense personnel from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The course
will last at two weeks and is expected to include 150 officers.
Overnight Tuesday, Israeli forces raided an area near the Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis in a search for Kassam-class rockets. Israeli military sources said the forces identified and destroyed nine weapons workshops located in three buildings.
