Press Releases

U.S. Signs Agreement to Enhance Palestinian Security

Jerusalem
9/15/2005

For Immediate Release

Consul General Jake Walles today signed a letter of agreement with the Palestinian Authority to establish and support a project designed to increase the capacity of the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Interior to facilitate its assumption of full responsibility for security in the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank. Minister of Interior Nasir Yusif, Minister of Finance Dr. Salam Fayyad, and Minister of Planning Ghassan al-Khatib signed on behalf of the Palestinian Authority at the ceremony, which took place at Minister Yusif’s office in Ramallah.

Under this agreement, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice approved the use of $2.3 million for the procurement of non-lethal material as directed by the U.S. Security Coordinator, General William Ward, for provision to the Palestinian Authority security services and $700,000 to strengthen the Ministry of Interior and support community policing initiatives. The U.S. Agency for International Development will sponsor the $700,000 portion of the program.

In remarks at the signing ceremony today, Mr. Walles said, “An efficient, respected, and strong security force, serving and overseen by a nation’s citizenry is a necessary ingredient to any democratic society, and the United States is pleased to be able to contribute to the building of that society.” He thanked the ministers for working with the United States on this project and said he looked forward to continued cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and the United States.


For more information please contact the Consulate Press Office at 02-672-4802.