George Tenet's Meeting with Yasser Arafat - 2002-06-04

George Tenet, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), met with Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, in Ramallah, West Bank, to discuss reforms in the Palestinian security forces. During their Tuesday meeting, Arafat outlined a plan aimed at increasing the effectiveness of his nine security forces. The United States is urging Arafat to reorganize the previously rival forces and compel them to take further actions to prevent terrorist attacks against Israel. According to this plan, the number of security services will be reduced to about three to six units, with each service's role clearly defined. An American official stated that Washington would postpone judgment on the plan until it sees how effectively it curbs terrorist attacks. Palestinian officials say Arafat has emphasized that Israeli attacks on areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority must cease. The United States wants Arafat to restructure his security apparatus to better confront terrorist attacks against Israelis. After the meeting, a spokesperson for Arafat stated that the Palestinian leader stressed the necessity of stopping Israeli aggression against Palestinian cities during his discussions with Tenet. Tenet, who is continuing U.S. efforts to revive the Middle East peace process, met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem on Monday. Hours before Tenet's meeting with Arafat, Israeli forces, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, briefly occupied the Palestinian cities of Jenin and Hebron. During the incursion into a village near Hebron, a Palestinian teenager was shot dead. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority cabinet stated that despite a ruling from the Palestinian Supreme Court to release Ahmad Sa'adat, a senior Palestinian militant wanted by Israel, he will remain in prison. Ahmad Sa'adat is the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who has confessed to killing Rehavam Ze'evi, Israel's tourism minister, last year.