Israel Matzav

Throwing good money after bad

The Bush administration is seeking more money for 'moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen's 'Presidential guard Force 17 terror group.

The Bush administration, warning of a debacle in the Gaza Strip, has appealed for more U.S. security aid to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Officials said the PA forces loyal to Abbas require additional aid to combat the Iranian-backed Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip. They said such agencies as the Presidential Guard and the National Security Forces were in immediate need of additional weapons and equipment.

"The legally constituted Palestinian security forces in the territories -- the Presidential Guard, the National Security Forces, and the Civil Police -- are engaged in a battle for law and order like never before," U.S. security coordinator Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton said.

On Wednesday, Dayton told the House Foreign Affairs Middle East and South Asia subcommittee that Hamas has fought fierce battles with Abbas-aligned forces. He said factions supported by Iran have been attacking Fatah-aligned troops throughout the Gaza Strip.

Fatah has more men, more weapons and more money than Hamas does. If they're not winning, it's not because they need even more. The more I see of Dayton, the more he reminds me of former CIA director George Tenet. Tenet trained 'Palestinian police' sharpshooters, who then turned on Israeli soldiers and civilians during the 2000-04 intifada.

It sounds like the US learning process is as poor as Israel's.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:02 PM