VPM Peres to be responsible for setting post-retreat security arrangements

Aaron Lerner Date: 7 August 2005

Israel Radio reports that the political-security cabinet has decided, per
the recommendation of VPM Shimon Peres and Minister Chaim Ramon that VPM
Peres will represent Israel's interests in setting arrangements for the
passages between Egypt and Gaza as well as arrangements for the airport and
seaport after the retreat from Gaza is completed next week.

[AL: That's not a typo - Shimon Peres.. ]

Under the arrangement Israel accepted, once the Rafah terminal is renovated
under an amorphous arrangement of international observers with amorphous
responsibilities and amorphous authority, people and their luggage will pass
through Rafah without Israeli on-hand involvement while "goods" would
continue to move through an Israeli terminal.

Under these circumstances, until the airport and seaport open, assuming that
the amorphous arrangements fail to stop weapons smuggling, smuggling will be
limit to what can fit into "luggage" (bombs, shoulder fired missiles, etc.)
.

Given VPM Peres' past record of concern regarding security as reflected in
Oslo, it can be expected that this limitation will only interfere with
weapons importation until the Gaza Airport opens in six months. At that
time weapons smuggling may be limited to what can be loaded into a transport
plane.

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