Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV1150
2005-02-25 16:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
PA SECURITY REFORM -- WHERE DOES NORWAY FIT?
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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
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
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