Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., March 16, 2008 Adar2 10, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:15 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 04:18 16/03/2008 U.S. gov't asks Congress to okay plan to boost funds for PA police By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel The U.S. government has asked Congress to approve a plan that would expand the training of Palestinian Authority police officers loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has asked Congress to approve an increase of $25 million to create a new battalion that would be trained in Jordan. U.S. General Keith Dayton will be in the charge of the program. Training of the PA's first battalion, which consists of more than 700 members, commenced a month and a half ago. The battalion is expected to return to the West Bank in May and then to be armed and deployed in June. Advertisement Advertisement The new battalion will begin training in May. Dayton's objective is to form five new battalions for the PA under Abbas' control in the West Bank. Battalion members have undergone security screening to prevent Hamas agents from infiltrating their ranks. The program, however, has been criticized by the press. Last week, the Washington Post reported a serious shortage in the first battalion's equipment. In addition, it mentioned obstacles imposed by Israel on supplying bulletproof vests and vehicles, forcing some instructors to use their private cars instead. Also, trainees were given textbooks in English, though most of them speak only Arabic and, in some instances, some 20 people shared one baton to train on. The most pressing training problem was the transfer of funds. To date, Congress has approved only some of the funds. Some in Washington question the effectiveness of the program and are cautious about commiting further funding. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Not even for Natalie A Haredi actor quits Natalie Portman's latest film due to rabbis' protests. Al-Jazeera boycott Al-Jazeera slams Israeli boycott as attack on free expression.   1.   are you kidding me? 04:45  |  vik 16/03/08   2.   More weapons are needed 05:45  |  Johnny Weintraub 16/03/08   3.   US money for the PA 09:40  |  Dr. David Feigenbaum 16/03/08

Today Online IAF resumes Gaza strikes, kills 3 Islamic Jihad men Responses: 75 Gideon Levy: Barak trying his best to ruin peace process Responses: 4 Uzi Benziman: Hawkish Israeli public leaves no room for Meretz Responses: 2 Bush to push Israel, PA for progress before his May visit Responses: 14 Rosner's Domain If you marry them, you have a better chance of keeping them State Department: UN measures fuel anti-Semitism (WTR) Poll: Is the "road map" still relevant? Neocons and the cultural proclivity of Jews (WTR) General Fraser and the third whiner More Headlines 09:36 IAF strike kills three Islamic Jihad militants in northern Gaza 09:34 ANALYSIS: Say goodbye to quiet after Gaza militant deaths 07:11 Bush to push Israel, PA for progress before his May visit 08:18 Report: Syria wants 'public' peace talks with Israel 10:04 Treasury finally admits: Israel facing economic slowdown 00:29 Firebombs hurled into home of Jewish Agency representative in U.S. 09:23 Netanyahu says will sue Ch. 10 for report he overspent on London trip 10:00 Ramle woman sustains light wounds in suspected 'honor killing' attempt 08:08 Tibetan exiles in Tel Aviv protest Chinese crackdown in Tibet 02:34 Merkel to arrive in Israel, will be first chancellor to address Knesset 04:18 U.S. gov't asks Congress to okay plan to boost funds for PA police 09:42 Falashmura seeking to immigrate to Israel complain about treatment Previous Editions Select Day 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar 07 mar 06 mar 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar

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