PA SECURITY REFORM -- WHERE DOES NORWAY FIT?

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001150 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID KWBG KPAL NO IS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS SUBJECT: PA SECURITY REFORM -- WHERE DOES NORWAY FIT? REF: TEL AVIV 0960 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a February 24 meeting with Embassy and USAID officers, Norwegian police advisor Arnstein Overkil identified reconstruction of the PA's police forensic lab and training in crime scene investigation techniques as two possible areas where Norway might undertake programs to assist the PA security forces. Overkil was uncertain whether community policing was a high PA priority, but was hopeful that newly-appointed PA Minister of Interior Nasser Yusuf would take difficult steps to pension off over-age officers. Stressing that the Norwegian government does not intend to make any decisions imminently, Overkil was focused in his assessment on ensuring that any Norwegian programs are thoroughly and effectively coordinated with those of other donors, in particular the EU COPPS program (reftel),and Egyptian and U.S. efforts. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Norwegian police expert Arnstein Overkil briefed Embassy and USAID officers February 24 on the results of his ongoing assessment for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of what role the GON might play in reforming the PA security services. Overkil introduced himself as a chief of police in Norway, where he is also a public prosecutor and, until 2004, head of the Norwegian Security Service. He portrayed his current eight-day mission as one of coordination as well as assessment, stressing Norway's desire to mesh potential programs with those of other donors, in particular with the EU COPPS program (reftel),but also with U.S. and Egyptian efforts. Overkil also said that it would be his strong recommendation to the Norwegian government to undertake no program unless it had been specifically requested by the PA. -------------- Needs Identified -------------- ¶3. (SBU) While cautioning that no decisions would be taken by the GON for at least several weeks, Overkil said he had identified shortcomings in both technical and managerial areas, noting that "delegation of authority is a nonexistent concept" in the PA police. Furthermore, a lack of trust exists between the police and the population, he said. He agreed with DCM's observation that the tendency, particularly in Gaza, to settle what would in other circumstances be legal 
matters through an informal justice system among the leading clans is a major challenge to the rule of law. Competition among the various branches of the security services, while not in itself necessarily a bad thing, had blossomed under Arafat's tutelage into an unhealthy, cutthroat system that "would remain in the room for a while," he said, even though Arafat has now departed the scene. Asked about prospects for pensioning off some 4,500 police officers to make headway in "right-sizing" the force, Overkil said it would be difficult, adding that he hoped newly-appointed PA Minister of Interior Nasser Yusuf would appoint people willing to take on difficult but necessary steps such as this. Pol/C noted that Yusuf had expressed confidence in the availability of competent officers to move into more senior positions, once those positions open up. -------------- Where Norway Might Fit -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Overkil said that, although his assessment could not be definitively completed due to the lack of a sitting PA government (Note: The new PA government was confirmed only on the final day of Overkil's mission),he would be recommending that the GON focus on the civil police and possibly the Preventive Security Organization (PSO). Specifically, Overkil listed four areas where he thought immediate attention could focus: -- Reconstruction of the forensic laboratory in Gaza that had been built with EU and other European funds in the mid-90's and destroyed at the outbreak of the current Intifada. -- A train-the-trainers program to develop crime scene investigation capability in the police: "As long as the police cannot carry out proper criminal investigations, they will continue to lose the respect of the population." -- Leadership and managerial training for senior and upper mid-level officers as an "urgent requirement." -- Training for female police officers in "more than secretarial skills." SIPDIS -------------- Any Space for Community Policing? -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Asked about the biggest change since he last worked in the region (as an advisor on police issues to then-Chairman Arafat as well as to the EU),Overkil said that the atmosphere in 1994-95 was much more optimistic than currently, although things are looking up now that there is new PA leadership. He recommended that donors assist the PA but, at the same time, hold the PA strictly accountable for the use of any funds or equipment provided. When asked if he has seen any evidence of Palestinian interest in community policing programs, Overkil responded that he hoped the PA would request programs in this category, as some mid-level officers with whom he spoke recognized the public's lack of confidence in the police. USAID officers concurred with Overkil's assessment that forensic skills are lacking, adding that prosecutors, while happy with an 80 percent case resolution rate, had no data on the number of cases that could not be brought to trial for lack of evidence. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** KURTZER