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Friday, July 30, 2010     FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Dayton's parting shot: Palestinian judicial system hampers security

WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama has quietly acknowledged that its security training program for the Palestinian Authority is dysfunctional.

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A report by the U.S. security coordinator's office said that the nearly $400 million program to bolster PA security forces was blocked by political and judicial failures, according to Middle East Newsline. The report cited the lack of an operating Palestinian legislature and court system.

"USSC reported that the PASF, including the civil police, are constrained in their ability to conduct security operations and to detain persons who present a security threat and the justice sector is constrained in convicting such persons because Palestinian laws on some related issues are vague and sometimes contradictory," the General Accountability Office said. "However, such laws cannot be reviewed and updated until after a new Palestinian Legislative Council is installed."


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GAO, in a report in May 2010, cited numerous concerns by outgoing security coordinator Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton regarding the U.S. effort to reorganize and expand PA security forces. GAO cited a study by Dayton that concluded that PA security forces were failing to cooperate or coordinate.

"The PA justice sector still lacks sufficient infrastructure, organization, and updated laws, according to PA, U.S., and international documents and officials," GAO said. "Justice-sector infrastructure, such as facilities and courts in each governorate, require upgrades and improvements by 2011, according to USSC."

In July, Dayton, in his post since 2005, was replaced by U.S. Air Force Gen. Michael Moeller. Moeller, a senior planning officer in Central Command, also served as head of a U.S. military delegation to end Syrian support for Al Qaida in neighboring Iraq.

"The implementation of the U.S. security assistance programs faces a number of logistical constraints that are largely outside of U.S. control, and these security assistance programs outpace efforts to develop the limited capacity of the PA police and justice sector," GAO said.

The assessment by Dayton's team did not expect a breakthrough toward significant progress in the PA security forces. In January 2010, the term of the Palestinian Legislative Council expired and no elections have yet been held to replace it. Elections of the PA chairman have also been canceled.

"According to State officials, elections for both the president of the PA and the Legislative Council await resolution of issues concerning the scope and conduct of the elections and the eligibility of voters in Hamas-controlled Gaza to participate," GAO said.



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