CIA sets up Palestinian intelligence operations, trains Arafat's security forces
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Saturday, June 17, 2000
RAMALLAH [MENL] -- U.S. intelligence is raising its profile in an effort to
oversee and train Palestinian security officers amid heightened tension in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Palestinian Authority officials said the CIA will supervise the
construction and operation of the Palestinian intelligence headquarters
north of Jericho. The building as well as the training of PA security
officers will be financed by the United States.
The PA has also decided to build a new headquarters for the General
Intelligence service in Ramallah. About 12 acres of land have already been
allocated. Again, CIA officers will supervise and finance the construction
as well as the installation of advanced surveillance and electronic equipment.
PA officials said CIA officers are also training Force 17, the
praetorian guard of PA Chairman Yasser Arafat. They said five CIA
representatives are responsible for the supervision and training of the PA
security officers.
Opposition sources said the CIA and State Department funds
several Palestinian institutions in the West Bank. They said CIA
representatives have attend the interrogation of detained Palestinian
opposition members.
PA officials said the CIA officers are also involved in monitoring the
security situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as well as
counterterrorism cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians. Israeli
security sources report rising tension in the PA territories and have warned
of new violence by the end of the month amid the stalemate in negotiations
between Israel and the PA.
Saturday, June 17, 2000
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