Officials said the report warned that inadequate PA security would
hamper U.S. plans to establish a Palestinian state by 2009. They said the
report outlined what Israel and the PA must do to meet the U.S. timetable.
Jones was said to have blasted Israel's role in the U.S. effort to
improve PA security forces. Officials said the report asserted that Israel
was hampering the movement of PA forces, blocking plans for weapons
shipments and technology to the Palestinians and resisting coordination.
Officials said Jones' main task has been to reach an Israeli-PA
security agreement that would enable the establishment of a Palestinian
state in the West Bank by January 2009. They said Jones has sought to
mediate PA demands for a conventional military against Israel's position
that the Palestinians must be equipped with no more than a strong police
force.
The United States has urged Israel and the PA to enhance security
coordination. On Aug. 4, PA and Israeli commanders discussed PA security
deployment in the northern West Bank, particularly Jenin.
The U.S. general, appointed security coordinator in November 2007, was
said to have urged President George Bush to publish the entire report. The
report was said to have been critical of the lack of coordination between
Jones and Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton, responsible for development of PA security
forces.
The Bush administration has also appointed Lt. Gen. William Frazier to
facilitate security requirements for a Palestinian state. Officials said
Frazier has been monitoring Israeli and PA compliance with the so-called
Roadmap, which outlined steps required for the establishment of a
Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
"The Palestinians expressed satisfaction in light of the steps taken,
and requested to continue to strengthen the Palestinian security forces and
realm of authority," an Israeli military statement said on Aug. 5. "During
the meeting which was conducted in a positive atmosphere, both sides agreed
to hold additional such meetings in the future."