RAMALLAH Ñ The Palestinian Authority is said to be encountering
difficulty in relaying salaries of military and security personnel directly
into their bank accounts.
PA sources said military and security commanders have objected to the
new policy. They said they want to keep providing salaries directly to their
troops.
PA Finance Minister Salam Fayyad told the Palestinan Legislative Council
that he expects all military and security personnel to receive their
salaries in their bank accounts later this month. But he acknowledged
resistance from PA commanders and said the issue is being discussed.
Palestinian sources said the commanders have argued that they could
ensure discipline among troops by having direct control over their salaries.
But critics said the commanders have siphoned off a percentage of the
salaries for themselves as well as for the Fatah movement headed by PA
Chairman Yasser Arafat.
The United States has pledged to relay tens of millions of dollars to
help bolster PA security agencies. The PA has 13 such agencies, including
the military-trained National Security Forces.
