MOI'S AL-YAHYA STRENGTHENS STRATEGIC PLANNING

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001330 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/SINGH E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2033 TAGS: KWBG PREL IS PGOV SUBJECT: MOI'S AL-YAHYA STRENGTHENS STRATEGIC PLANNING DEPARTMENT Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. On July 17, PA Minister of Interior Abd Razaq al-Yahya issued two decisions to strengthen the Strategic Planning Department (SPD). The decisions place the SPD within the MOI and authorize the SPD Director General to represent the Minister on issues related to security sector reform and transformation. Translation of decisions at para ¶5. END SUMMARY. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The SPD is an Interior Ministry office partially funded by the USG to provide the PA with the capability to conduct strategic-level security planning and develop reform strategies. There are currently about 25 Palestinian and a half-dozen international staff. At full strength, the SPD will have 50 staff. LOCKING IN A ROLE FOR THE SPD -------------- ¶3. (C) On July 17, MOI al-Yahya formally issued two decisions concerning the SPD. The first decision places the SPD within the MOI. The second decision officially gives SPD Director Mohammad Jibrini the authority to represent the Interior Minister on security sector reform and transformation issues. ¶4. (C) SPD international staff member Kerian McManus told PolOff July 18 that these decisions were a necessary step in al-Yahya's effort to bring the security forces under his authority. He added that al-Yahya will next try to assert control over security forces' budgets. TEXT OF DECISIONS -------------- ¶5. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF DECISION 94 Palestinian Liberation Organization Palestinian National Authority Minister of Interior Decision No. 94 Regarding the Strategic Planning Unit (SPD) Minister of Interior Based on the authority vested in me, the public benefit and for work requirements, the following is decided: ¶1. The Strategic Planning Unit (SPD) is annexed to the MOI and shall be under its administrative supervision. ¶2. The Unit shall work in Strategic Security Planning. Its tasks will be clarified in details in an annexed memorandum authorized by the Minister of Interior. 3, The Unit shall have its own structure and shall be approved by the Minister of Interior, and it shall be annexed to the MOI without being an organic part of it. ¶4. Staff is composed of holders of Palestinian Nationality. It will be supported with experts from other nationalities according to need. ¶5. It is run by a General Director and an Executive Manager appointed by the MOI and both should be holders of Palestinian Nationality. ¶6. Those concerned shall implement this decision, each in the field of expertise as of date of issuance. Issued in Ramallah on July 17, 2008 Abdl Razaq Al Yahia MOI END TEXT OF DECISION 94 BEGIN TEXT OF DECISION 95 Palestinian Liberation Organization Palestinian National Authority Minister of Interior Decision No. 95 In regards to appointing a General Director to the Strategic Planning Unit, the following is decided: ¶1. BG Mohammad Mostafa Mohammad Jibrini is appointed as a General Director to the SPD and he is engaged in his work and tasks directly with the Minister of Interior. ¶2. BG Jabrini is assigned, within the frame of his tasks, to set the plans required to organize, structure and develop the Palestinian Security Institutions. ¶3. He is authorized to address the Palestinian Security Forces and General Directors to the Central Administrations in all that is related to the tasks he is assigned to. ¶4. Recommends and nominates personnel to the Minister of Interior as appropriate and upon agreed descriptions. ¶5. Those concerned shall implement this decision, each in the field of expertise as of date of issuance. Issued in Ramallah on July 17, 2008 Abdl Razaq Al Yahia MOI END TEXT OF DECISION 95 WALLES