UK Establishes Security Center in Gaza

The security nerve centre will, at first, focus on "civil policing" rather than curbing Palestinian attacks against Israeli targets, reported the Telegraph quoting British officials.

British officials told the paper that their role will be limited to behind-the-scenes "advice".

Britain had earlier this year established a joint operations room to help revamp the Palestinian security agencies in the West Bank city of Ramallah .

"The central operations room is a good news story. If you have relatively modest objectives you can succeed," said a British official.

According to the Telegraph, the Gaza security center is expected to be operational within weeks.

Sensitive Timing

London had in the past declined to set up a control centre in Gaza but changed hearts after the death of President Yasser Arafat, hoping the center will provide a stabilizing influence, said the British paper.

It said the declared aim of the center is help the Palestinian security forces contain the volatile situation after Arafat’s demise and to pave the way for the proposed Israeli withdrawal from the Strip.

"Everybody agrees that in a time of transition, security is the key," a senior British source told the paper.

There have been fears that Arafat's death could trigger a wave of violence and infighting, especially in Gaza Strip.

However, Arafat’s long-held powers were peacefully and smoothly divided between three main figures.

Former premier Mahmoud Abbas was elected the new head of the PLO while PLO politburo chief Farouq Qaddumi was appointed head of Fatah, the mainstream Palestinian movement.

Parliament speaker Rawhi Fattuh was sworn in as acting chairman of the Palestinian Authority in accordance with the Palestinian bylaw and elections to choose a new president is expected within 60 days.

Abbas escaped Sunday, November14 , a shooting spree as he visited a mourning tent for the former emblematic leader in Gaza .

He insisted there was "no political or personal dimension" to the shooting, refuting claims it was an attempt on his life.

Britain, one of very few countries trusted by the Israelis, and the US jointly monitor a Palestinian jail in Jericho to reassure Israel that high-profile prisoners remain in detention.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair had proposed last March deploying a US-led “monitoring force” to act as a buffer between Israel and the Palestinians.

However, the proposal was immediately rebuffed by US President George W. Bush under Israeli pressures.

Israel fears the conflict with the Palestinians would take an international dimension if such a force was deployed.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been working tirelessly to scupper efforts for a European role in the occupied Palestinian territories.

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-11/20/article05.shtml