Israel rebuffs US proposal to arm Palestinian police

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2005/April/middleeast_April787.xml§ion=middleeast

JERUSALEM - Israel has rebuffed a US proposal to arm Palestinian police officers in the West Bank to help put an end to the rampant lawlessness in the territory, the Haaretz daily reported on Friday.


It is understood that two senior envoys from Washington, Elliot Abrams and David Welch, put forward the suggestion during a recent visit in a bid to strengthen the moderate Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, who has made internal security one of his top priorities.

However, Israeli officials rejected the idea, saying the Palestinian security services had to first proof themselves by instituting a crackdown against militant groups.

“Let them first take the weapons from the terrorists,” one official was quoted as saying.

[bemildred]

1. So we have Pooty-Poot and the US both trying to arm the PA.

Well, I must say this is different anyway.

[Colorado Blue]

2. Hey - The Empires gotta make a living.

I knew it. They've restarted the Cold War, only now it's a straight up commercial proposition, none of that ideological stuff to interfere with the Bottom Line.

Swell.

Soon, there will be ads on the 'net, if there aren't already:

MIG -21 for sale - CHEAP!

No - get THIS - F-14! with Bunker Busters! A Steal! Rent Time On Aircraft Carrier For Garage!

Oh, help.

[bemildred]

3. I dunno if it's the cold war, exactly.

More like Ford and Toyota competing for business.

[Colorado Blue]

6. What's Good For GM Is Good For The World:)

Is the new planet ready yet?

[mutus_frutex]

4. So, the UNARMED police has to disarm the ARMED Hamas?

Let me see, what's missing here? Ahh!! Logic!!

[Larkspur]

5. But it's OK to let illegal Jewish settlers have arms

Too bad Peter Sellers isn't here today to make a movie about Ariel Sharon and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.