June 24, 2005
FROM MILITANT TO MILITARY:
700 militants agree to play security role in Nablus (Greg Myre, JUNE 24, 2005, The New York Times)
About 700 Palestinian militants in the volatile West Bank city of Nablus have agreed in principle to join the Palestinian security forces as part of a campaign to transform the gunmen into government servants, Palestinians officials said Thursday.Posted by Orrin Judd at June 24, 2005 8:20 AM
The Palestinian leadership has been working on the program for months, and says more than 500 militants in other West Bank cities have already signed up to work in the security forces or take civilian jobs in government.
The deal in Nablus, a hotbed for militants, marks the most comprehensive agreement so far.
"This will be the test case," Samir Huleilah, chief of staff of the Palestinian cabinet, told Reuters.
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, initiated the campaign as part of his effort to persuade militants to halt attacks against Israel.
Comments
Free arms, free food, a chance to kill Jews with impunity, useful idiots like OJ calling it cooptation, for a 'militant' what's not to like?
Posted by: bart at June 24, 2005 8:30 AMI have to wonder by "transform the gunmen into government servants" – haven't they been doig the PA's will all along?
Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at June 24, 2005 8:50 AMthe risk
Posted by: oj at June 24, 2005 9:04 AMA risk a New Hampshire resident can take easily.
Posted by: obc at June 24, 2005 2:04 PMWhy would I join the Palestinian military?
Posted by: oj at June 24, 2005 2:17 PMWhat if the gang-bangers were invited to help police Nashua's streets?
Posted by: obc at June 24, 2005 2:53 PMNashua doesn't have a problem with violent blacks or it would have black police.
Posted by: oj at June 24, 2005 4:47 PM