August 1 . Gaza.Popular Army Announced
August . 01, 2005 20:02 | Updated Aug. 2, 2005 6:57
Fatah founds popular army in Gaza
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Fatah leaders and activists have decided to establish a Palestinian "popular army" to help the Palestinian Authority enforce law and order in the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuates the area.
PA officials in Ramallah expressed concern over the decision, saying there was no need for "another militia" and that the Palestinian security forces are capable of taking control over the areas that will be evacuated by Israel.
"This is the last thing we need now," one official told The Jerusalem Post. "We already have too many armed militias out there. The Palestinian people want one authority and one
security force."
Sources in the Gaza Strip said the decision to establish a "popular army" was made by top PLO official Farouk Kaddoumi, who is based in Tunis and also serves as chairman of the ruling Fatah party's central committee. A staunch opponent of the Oslo Accords, Kaddoumi was one of the few PLO leaders who refused to return to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1994.
Kaddoumni, who is planning to move to the Gaza Strip after disengagement, recently opened an office in Khan Yunis. The office is run by dozens of Fatah activists and gunmen who are unhappy with the policies of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
On Monday, Kaddoumi's office launched a training program for dozens of recruits wishing to join the "popular army." The new "soldiers" are expected to undergo military training for several days before being officially drafted into the new army.
Kaddoumi told his supporters that the new force would be entrusted with helping the PA security forces enforce law and order and "protect the property of the Palestinians after the Israeli withdrawal. We will seek full coordination with all Palestinian factions to achieve our goal."
The decision to establish a Fatah "popular army" comes in the wake of reports that Hamas was also setting up a similar force in the Gaza Strip.
But some PA officials said Kaddoumi's move was directed more against Abbas and the PA leadership than Hamas. Kadoummi has, over the past few months, openly challenged Abbas by questioning his right to represent all Palestinians and make decisive decisions on their behalf.
In a related development, PA Civil Affairs Minister Muhammed Dahlan announced that the PA was planning to close Gush Katif for three days after disengagement to check whether Israel had planted land mines or "toxic material."
He said the PA would then open the area to the public so that people could freely tour the site of the settlements. He also said that the PA was planning to employ thousands of workers in the greenhouses left behind by the settlers.
PA Interior Ministry spokesman Tawkif Abu Khoussa claimed that Israel had agreed to allow Palestinian security forces to deploy near the settlements before the pullout is completed. He said the move was designed to foil attempts by
armed gangs to seize control of the settlements.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Hassan Khraisheh, accused the PA of failing to reform its security forces. "The problem of the security forces is that they don't have a philosophy," he said. "The
result is that many policemen and security personnel are loyal to their commanders more than to their country."
He also accused Abbas and Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei of failing to tackle growing anarchy in PA-controlled areas. "The Palestinian security forces have not been consolidated," he added. "The only changes are on the personal level. "The Palestinian Authority is lacking in both will and political decision. This has led to the deterioration of the people's conditions."To read the article click here
Fatah founds popular army in Gaza
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Fatah leaders and activists have decided to establish a Palestinian "popular army" to help the Palestinian Authority enforce law and order in the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuates the area.
PA officials in Ramallah expressed concern over the decision, saying there was no need for "another militia" and that the Palestinian security forces are capable of taking control over the areas that will be evacuated by Israel.
"This is the last thing we need now," one official told The Jerusalem Post. "We already have too many armed militias out there. The Palestinian people want one authority and one
security force."
Sources in the Gaza Strip said the decision to establish a "popular army" was made by top PLO official Farouk Kaddoumi, who is based in Tunis and also serves as chairman of the ruling Fatah party's central committee. A staunch opponent of the Oslo Accords, Kaddoumi was one of the few PLO leaders who refused to return to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1994.
Kaddoumni, who is planning to move to the Gaza Strip after disengagement, recently opened an office in Khan Yunis. The office is run by dozens of Fatah activists and gunmen who are unhappy with the policies of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
On Monday, Kaddoumi's office launched a training program for dozens of recruits wishing to join the "popular army." The new "soldiers" are expected to undergo military training for several days before being officially drafted into the new army.
Kaddoumi told his supporters that the new force would be entrusted with helping the PA security forces enforce law and order and "protect the property of the Palestinians after the Israeli withdrawal. We will seek full coordination with all Palestinian factions to achieve our goal."
The decision to establish a Fatah "popular army" comes in the wake of reports that Hamas was also setting up a similar force in the Gaza Strip.
But some PA officials said Kaddoumi's move was directed more against Abbas and the PA leadership than Hamas. Kadoummi has, over the past few months, openly challenged Abbas by questioning his right to represent all Palestinians and make decisive decisions on their behalf.
In a related development, PA Civil Affairs Minister Muhammed Dahlan announced that the PA was planning to close Gush Katif for three days after disengagement to check whether Israel had planted land mines or "toxic material."
He said the PA would then open the area to the public so that people could freely tour the site of the settlements. He also said that the PA was planning to employ thousands of workers in the greenhouses left behind by the settlers.
PA Interior Ministry spokesman Tawkif Abu Khoussa claimed that Israel had agreed to allow Palestinian security forces to deploy near the settlements before the pullout is completed. He said the move was designed to foil attempts by
armed gangs to seize control of the settlements.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Hassan Khraisheh, accused the PA of failing to reform its security forces. "The problem of the security forces is that they don't have a philosophy," he said. "The
result is that many policemen and security personnel are loyal to their commanders more than to their country."
He also accused Abbas and Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei of failing to tackle growing anarchy in PA-controlled areas. "The Palestinian security forces have not been consolidated," he added. "The only changes are on the personal level. "The Palestinian Authority is lacking in both will and political decision. This has led to the deterioration of the people's conditions."To read the article click here
posted by solitarioh2005 @ 12:20 PM
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