U.S. offers PA USD 3 million
USD 2.3 million to be allocated toward the purchase of non-military equipment form the PA security forces, while the rest will be invested in community projects; U.S. Consul General Jake Walles says decision to grant made in accordance with Bush’s vision regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state that would exist in peace alongside Israel
The U.S. is expected to grant the Palestinian Authority security forces USD 3 million, U.S. Consul General Jake Walles said Thursday during a joint press conference with Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yusuf.
Walles said that USD 2.3 million will be allocated toward the purchase of non-military equipment form the PA security forces, while the rest will be invested in community projects initiated by the security forces, mainly the Palestinian police.
The Consul General added that the aid is intended mainly for the training of the Palestinian security forces and to make the Palestinian police more efficient in tending to the needs of the local population.
Walles said the decision to grant the aid was made in accordance with instructions Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and in accordance with President George W. Bush’s vision regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state that would exist in peace alongside Israel.
Minister Yusuf thanked the Americans for the aid, saying the Palestinian security forces would not be able to improve their capabilities without it. This aid is part of an effort to unify the various Palestinian security organizations and assure a peaceful Israeli withdrawal (from Gaza), he said.
'No need to carry arms'
Yusuf said the PA is determined to bring an end to the anarchy regarding the possession of arms in Gaza and provide security and stability to the Palestinian population. He also promised the Palestinians would make every effort to track down the killers of Moussa Arafat, who was gunned down in Gaza last week.
He said he hopes the U.S. would assist the PA in matters related to the crossings and borders, adding that should the current situation persist, Gaza would become one big prison.
“We hope the issue of the Rafah will be solved in a reasonable manner in the framework of the security agreements with Israel,” Yusuf said.
The interior minister also confirmed that “small amounts of weapons and drugs” were smuggled into Gaza from Egypt following Israel’s withdrawal from the area.
“We managed to seize some of the (weapons and drugs), and we will not allow the anarchy to continue,” Yusuf said.
“There is no need to carry arms anymore, especially in light of the fact that the occupation has ended.”
