So far, 80 PA officers have graduated two separate courses. Officials
said the course would be expanded over the next year.
The United States has conducted a separate officers course for the
National Security Forces in Amman, Jordan. The instruction has been provided
by Jordanian officers.
Officials said the Ramallah course was meant to enhance the skills of
battalion commanders and above. They said this included lieutenant colonels
and colonels from NSF, Presidential Guard, Preventive Security Apparatus,
General Intelligence and police.
The U.S. effort was part of a program to restructure and reform PA
security forces. Officials said Dayton has sought to institute bonuses that
reward officers and commanders for excellence.
"Once, we train enough commanders, then they will institute new norms in
the security services and pass on those values to junior officers," the
official said.
Meanwhile, Fatah and Hamas have failed to overcome a key
disagreement in reconciliation talks for a Palestinian unity government.
Palestinian sources said Fatah and Hamas have been arguing over Egyptian
proposals to merge their security forces during an interim period. The
sources said the security issue, discussed at talks sponsored by Egypt,
marked the key remaining obstacle to a unity government.
"Hamas does not want to give up any control over its security forces," a
Palestinian source said.
The sources said the failure to resolve the security issue torpedoed the
fourth round of reconciliation talks in Cairo, held on April 27-28. They
said the Hamas delegation pledged to relay the Egyptian proposal to the
leadership in Damascus.
The Egyptian proposal called for the establishment of a panel that would
oversee the merger of Hamas and PA forces. The sources said Egypt would
sponsor a Arab-led committee that would monitor the joint force and plan its
restructuring both in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The plan was said to
affect nearly 100,000 PA and Hamas troops.
Under the plan, both Hamas and Fatah forces would receive security
training financed by the United States and other Western donors. The sources
said the proposal also envisioned the return of Fatah security officers to
the Gaza Strip.
The sources said Fatah has approved the plan but Hamas has raised
opposition. They said the Hamas delegation warned of clashes between
factions within the security forces.
"Hamas said the security situation should be left as is, with Hamas in
control of Gaza security and Fatah, through the PA, responsible for the West
Bank," the source said.
