Ministry of Defense: No policy on disposition of weapons seized by PA

Aaron Lerner Date: 23 February 2005

IMRA asked Shiri Eden, deputy media advisor to Minister of Defense Shaul
Mofaz, if Israel would insist that, should the PA seize such weapons as
Katyusha rockets or anti-aircraft missiles, that they either destroy or
transfer them to a third party.

Eden replied today Israel has yet "to devote thought" to Israel's position
regarding the disposition of weapons seized by the Palestinian Authority,
noting that they have not yet seized weapons..

IMRA raised concern that in the absence of a clear Israeli position that the
PA could readily arm itself with weapons systems that they are not allowed
to posses under the Oslo agreements by arranging for a third party to
smuggle in the weapons and then "confiscating" them.

Eden replied that "what is important is they are in authorized hands. We
will discuss this matter at a later stage."

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il