PA NATIONAL SECURITY COMMANDER ASSESSES SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001474

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA, INL FOR PFORZHEIMER, NSC FOR
ABRAMS/PASCUAL/SINGH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: KWBG PTER PGOV IS
SUBJECT: PA NATIONAL SECURITY COMMANDER ASSESSES SECURITY
THREATS, TRAINING/EQUIPMENT NEEDS

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. In August 2-7 conversations, National
Security Forces (NSF) commander MG Thiab Mustafa Ali (Abu
al-Fatah) told PolOff and POL FSN that the NSF is leading
small-scale/local security efforts throughout the West Bank
targeting armed/organized criminal and terrorist suspects,
and has a large-scale action planned for the Hebron area
pending GOI clearance. MG Ali said the PA's top West Bank
security threat is the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades while Hizb
al-Tahrir poses a public order problem but not a strategic
threat. He said the NSF is prepared to conduct basic and
advanced security training for battalion-sized units in
Jericho using veteran NSF trainers. MG Ali expressed concern
about the suitability of USG-provided vehicles, calling the
trucks unsuitable for patrolling Palestinian cities and too
expensive to operate and maintain. End summary.

NSF Operational Priorities; al-Aqsa
Brigades Militants Still Pose Threat
--------------


2. (C) In an August 2 meeting in Ramallah with PolOff and
August 6-7 phonecalls with POL FSN, MG Ali said the NSF is
leading small-scale/local security efforts throughout the
West Bank targeting armed/organized criminal and terrorist
suspects with intelligence-driven raids. He said the NSF has
developed plans for larger deployments as threats and
political guidance dictate, but the only large-scale action
that he assesses urgent is for the Hebron area, and so far
the GOI has denied clearance.


3. (C) MG Ali said the PA's top West Bank security threat is
al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades cells. He said several such cells
remain armed and organized. He said Hamas has strong
political support in many parts of the West Bank, but with
limited armed capabilities in the West Bank is a lesser
danger, while Hizb al-Tahrir poses a public order problem but
not a strategic threat.

NSF Prepared for West Bank Training
--------------


4. (C) The NSF is prepared to conduct basic and advanced
security training for battalion-sized units in Jericho, MG
Ali said, using veteran NSF trainers while welcoming foreign
observers. He said he is grateful for international
assistance and welcomes help to defray expenses, but
emphasized that local training would reduce costs and
complications, focus training on local geographic and
security conditions, build the NSF's organic training
capacity and ensure that units rotating through training are
immediately available for action if an emergency happens. He
said the main training complication in Jericho is IDF
clearance for use of the rifle range, which he said is
usually granted but is necessary every time PA security
forces fire live ammunition.

Discontent with USG-Procured Vehicles
--------------


5. (C) MG Ali told PolOff and POL FSN that neither he nor
his logistics chief were consulted about the specifications
of the 145 Ford F-150 trucks provided by the USG. He said
his engineering department submitted a list of extensive
problems with the vehicles. He said the large trucks are
unsuitable for patrolling in Palestinian cities, as they are
too large for narrow streets, and their 8-cylinder, 4600cc
engines burn fuel at 9-14 miles/gallon and require much more
engine oil, costing twice as much as other NSF vehicles to
operate. He said the Ford dealer in Ramallah does not stock
spare parts for the trucks, requiring specially-ordered,
expensive imported parts. MG Ali also complained that
neither the cars nor their engine blocks have engraved serial
numbers, and the PA has to finish engraving before the trucks
can be registered. He said all but one of the trucks remain
parked in Jericho pending consulttion on the above issues
and PA registration.
ALLES