The criticism came amid renewed U.S. efforts to expand security training for the PA. The efforts have been led by Gen. Michael Moeller, the new U.S. security coordinator, who arrived in Jerusalem in October.

In an interview with Palestinian radio station Maan, Tirawi, also chairman of the Palestinian Academy for Security Sciences in Jericho, said the training of the PA's National Security Forces in Jordan's International Police Training Center cost more than 30 times that of similar instruction in the West Bank. He said battalion training in Jordan costs $10 million as opposed to $300,000 in the West Bank.

Officials said PA security officers have also been trained in Turkey. Ankara's training, meant to introduce Palestinian officers to modern equipment and techniques, has been financed by Western sources.

PA training courses in Jordan have been reduced this year amid political difficulties as well as friction with Moeller's predecessor, Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton. The last course was in June, when dozens of Palestinian security personnel were sent to Jordan to train on BRT-80 armored personnel vehicles donated by Russia. Moscow sent 25 vehicles to Jordan with plans to deliver another 25.

But Israel has not allowed the Russian APCs to enter the West Bank. Officials said the Israel Army has sought to limit operations of the BRTs.

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