By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press Writers
RAMALLAH, West Bank - Hundreds of Palestinian gunmen have signed pledges to halt violence in exchange for government jobs, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas hopes to bring many more militants on board before he meets President Bush in May, Palestinian officials said Monday.
The new jobs-for-guns program, which offers the biggest rewards to those who've spent the longest time in Israeli prisons or on the run from the military, is meant to counter Israeli and U.S. complaints that Abbas is doing little to control the armed groups.
The program is the most far-reaching step Abbas has taken so far to rein in militants, and fits in with his desire to control them through dialogue, rather than direct confrontations. The Palestinian leader has promised wide-ranging reform of the security services and recently fired the West Bank security commander, mentioned widely in corruption allegations.
more...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=124WHOA. :):):)
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore