Palestinian PM draws line on U.S. role at 'training'
RAMALLAH Ñ The Palestinian Authority has expressed its determination
to limit the U.S. security role in the West Bank.
Prime Minister Salam Fayad has pledged that the U.S. security presence
in the West Bank would be limited to the training of PA forces. Fayad, who
boycotted U.S. security coordinator Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton for five months,
said he would not allow foreign intervention in PA affairs.
"He is involved in training and only training," Fayad said.
In an interview with the Oct. 28 issue of Palestinian Studies magazine,
Fayad said the United States and Dayton have played a significant role in
the development of PA security forces, Middle East Newsline reported. But he stressed that the United
States has not interfered with PA policy or its security mission.
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PA security sources said Fayad reconciled with Dayton in October 2009
after a five-month boycott. The sources attributed the boycott to Fayad's
anger of Dayton's statements regarding U.S. control over PA security forces
and the American general's purported interference in policy.
Fayad has agreed to a U.S. plan to train 10 National Security Forces
battalion in Jordan. The fourth and fifth NSF battalions began the
four-month training course in October.
In the interview with the Ramallah-based magazine, Fayad did not discuss
his boycott of Dayton. The prime minister outlined the role of the U.S.
security presence in the West Bank and the training program in Jordan.
Fayad said the PA eschews violence against Israel as a means to
establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank. He outlined his program to
achieve an independent Palestinian state regardless of Israel's objections
in 2011.
"Violence is no longer part of the Palestinian resistance," Fayyad said.
"There is an occupation; arms and chaos are not the solution."
