Posted on 10/23/2005 7:52:44 AM PDT by Alouette
'The most important thing is to see what kind of action we have,' says Dore Gold, adviser to PM Sharon
The Associated Press
The Palestinian Authority plans to begin disarming a major terror group in the coming weeks by setting up training camps and incorporating its members into the Palestinian security forces, officials said Sunday.
Dismantling the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent group linked to the ruling Fatah party, would mark a significant step toward restoring law and order in the chaotic Palestinian territories.
But previous attempts by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to control terrorists have had little success, and it was unclear whether the latest effort would work.
Abbas is under Israeli and international pressure to disarm terror groups, which have killed hundreds of Israelis in the past five years. Abbas refuses to confront the groups, fearing civil war, and instead has sought to co-opt the gunmen with promises of jobs and political participation.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia announced the new plan after a meeting of his top security chiefs Sunday.
“We have agreed today to establish five new camps for training and hosting 'stragglers,"' he said, referring to the al-Aqsa members.
He said the disarmament efforts would begin in the Palestinian cities of Ramallah and Nablus, and then move into other areas.
Interior Minister Nasser Yousef, the top Palestinian security commander, said the camps would be operational “within weeks.”
Al-Aqsa spokesmen in the West Bank and Gaza Strip said they were confident the movement would join the new plan.
"In principle there are no problems," Said Abu Ahmed, an al-Aqsa official in Gaza.
Israeli officials received the announcement with skepticism. "There have been a lot of declarations before. The most important thing is to see what kind of action we have," said Dore Gold, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Although al-Aqsa is linked to Fatah, its thousands of members have fragmented loyalties, and it is unclear whether terrorists would agree to give up their autonomy.
The disarmament plan also does not affect Hamas, which has thousands of gunmen and has rejected Abbas' calls to lay down its weapons.
With Palestinian security forces weakened by years of fighting with Israel, armed groups operate with virtual impunity in the Palestinian areas. The chaos has only heightened since Israel withdrew from Gaza last month, as gunmen vie for power in the wake of the pullout.
Qureia said his security chiefs will next week visit Nablus, one of the most volatile West Bank cities, to evaluate the security situation there and provide the government with its recommendations.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
"...PA plans to disarm al-Aqsa Brigades..."
That group has never been popular with Pennsylvania residents anyway, so it's not a big deal.
~ Blue Jays ~
*Snort* The PA security forces ARE a terror group..
Ha...Going to give 'em all a shirt with Abbas' picture on it and put them on the payroll...And give them a name change to the Palestinian army...
And what of Hamas??? Palestinian 'special forces'???
Fatah activists resign en masse
"The latest crisis is regarded as a severe blow to Abbas's efforts to unite Fatah ahead of the parliamentary elections in a bid to prevent Hamas from making a strong showing. "The divisions in Fatah and the deepening crisis between the young guard and the old guard play into the hands of Hamas," a top Fatah official in Ramallah told The Jerusalem Post.
and
Divisions within Fatah may delay vote
Fatah gunmen who joined the PA security forces over the past few months are now threatening to quit in protest against attempts by veteran leaders to deny them a larger say in decision-making. In Tulkarm, Nablus and Jenin, disgruntled Fatah gunmen complained over the weekend that Abbas and the Fatah leadership haven't done anything to merge them into the party's influential institutions.
In a sign of growing tensions, Fatah gunmen and PA policemen exchanged gunfire in the center of Tulkarm on Friday. Sources in the city said one policeman was seriously injured in the clashes.
In a related development, various Fatah-affiliated armed groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip announced that they have decided to unite under a central command. Fatah has at least eight different militias (the biggest one is Aksa Martyrs Brigades).
Jihad al-Amareen, the leader of one of the Fatah militias, said the decision was taken in the context of attempts to unite Fatah ahead of next January's parliamentary elections.
and less than a week ago:
Disarm translates to upgrade.
>> Disarm translates to upgrade.
That was my thought too. Go to "camp", get a PA ID and a shiny new M-16, compliments of the sucker USA taxpayer.
Ok guys, time to put on the uniforms again, the Americans are going to give us more guns...
From the headline, I thought they were in Pennsylvania.
Palestinian gangs clash in Lebanon refugee camp
"Militant Palestinians fought members of a Lebanese leftist party in a gun battle Sunday that left one man dead and three wounded outside a refugee camp, Lebanese security officials said." [SNIP]
"The disarmament of Palestinian factions in Lebanon was discussed last week when Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Paris."
and some more "peace news":
2 Israelis stabbed on J'lem-Gush Etzion highway
"Two Israelis were moderately wounded after being stabbed at the Tunnel Highway between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion Sunday evening."
"According to preliminary reports, the suspected attacker was shot, and his condition was listed as serious, MDA reported."
I guess the old adage never bring a knife to a gun fight still holds true.
:-)
We have a winner!
Why can't the people in the State Dept understand this?
I guess the old adage never bring a knife to a gun fight still holds true
HEHE
There was thread yesterday that Alouette posted on an interview with some Imam regarding the Temple Mount. Very telling. Jerusalem must never fall into their hands..
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