CIA sets up Palestinian intelligence operations, trains Arafat's security forces

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.