GAZA CITY — The European Union has steered aid away from the
Palestinian Authority to agencies under the direct control of PA Chairman
Mahmoud Abbas.
Over the last month, the EU has blocked shipments of equipment and
vehicles to the Hamas-led PA. Instead, some of the equipment has been
directed to the Presidential Guard, under the direct control of Abbas.
"The effort is no longer helping the PA, but helping those elements who
are ready to cooperate with us," a Western diplomatic source said.
[On late Thursday, four people were shot and injured in a battle between
Fatah- and Hamas-aligned troops in Gaza City. The clash took place amid
warnings of an impending civil war in the Gaza Strip.]
In April, the sources said, Spain shipped 29 sport utility vehicles to
the Presidential Guard. The four-wheel-drive Santana SUVs, stored in a
facility in Israel, were meant for the PA police, which has come under Hamas
control.
The diplomats said the EU would not ship lethal equipment to any PA
agency, even that controlled by Abbas. But they said Egypt and Jordan would
provide the Presidential Guard with weaponry and ammunition and Britain
might offer training.
"There is a lot of concern that Hamas needs to be met with a hard hand,"
another diplomatic source said. "We can either help Abu Mazen [Abbas] or
watch Hamas take over for good."
Saeb Erekat, a former minister and aide of Abbas, confirmed the EU
shipment of SUVs. Erekat said Egypt and Jordan have already sent ammunition
and light weapons to the Presidential Guard.
"The Egyptian and Jordanians have donated guns and ammunition, but we
can't get them in because the Israelis have refused so far," Erekat said.
"We need them badly for the Presidential Guard to take control of the
crossings."
Israel has expressed concern over the effort by the EU and United States
to help the Presidential Guard. The sources said Israel has asserted that
the Presidential Guard was the new name for Force 17, established by the
late Yasser Arafat and deemed a leading unit in the Palestinian war against
Israel.
In 2002, 230 members of Congress urged President George Bush to add
Force 17 to the State Department's list of terrorist groups. Bush refused.
Under the EU plan, the Presidential Guard would be expanded from 2,500
to 3,500 officers. The sources said the EU has received assurances from
Abbas that the Presidential Guard has separated from Force 17.
Over the next few months, the sources said, the Presidential Guard would
be deployed at all crossings of the Gaza Strip. So far, the unit has been in
control of the Rafah border terminal with Egypt.
