[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] J. D. Crouch II, Montgomery C. Meigs, and Walter B. Slocombe - Security First: U.S. Priorities in Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaking is the report of a team of independent experts commissioned to examine security issues in the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. The new Obama administration should focus its early efforts on expanding and improving the U.S.-led program to train PA security forces so they are willing and able to fight terrorism. Only by proving its bona fides in countering terrorism can the PA give Israel confidence eventually to draw down its own forces in the West Bank. Alternative ideas to circumvent the PA's current ineffectiveness, such as the deployment of international or NATO troops, are impractical and potentially counterproductive. "The sine qua non of a durable peace agreement remains the development of a Palestinian security system capable of not only enforcing law and order but combating terrorist networks and cells."
2008-12-11 08:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive