Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades to join PA security forces as groups
Aaron Lerner Date: 26 October 2005

The Palestine Media Center henceforth the (PMC) is an independent official
institution established in November 2001. The PMC is under the direct
supervision of PLO Executive Committee Member Mr. Yasser Abed Rabbo. IMRA
interview Qais A'ssad of the PMC, in English on 26 October:

IMRA: Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei announced last Sunday a new
plan aimed at incorporating the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades into the official
security services of the Palestinian Authority. Will they join as groups or
be spread around the security services as individuals?

A'ssad: As groups. They will first be trained as groups and then become
part of the security services as groups.

IMRA: Will the ranks of the officers and commanders of Brigades be
maintained when they join the PA security services?

A'ssad: I am not certain how this will work, but the forces will answer to
the political wing (AL: PA).

IMRA: Will the Brigades hand over their various weapons and then get new,
common, weapons?

A'ssad: They will hold onto the weapons that they now have since it is hard
now to get new weapons as Israel is refusing to allow Russia and others to
supply weapons.

IMRA: Will they hold onto all their weapons?

A'ssad: They will retain the same weapons that other security forces hold.
They will transfer the other weapons to the security services.

IMRA: Will all the Brigades join at the same time or will there be a pilot
project?

A'ssad: This process is going to take some time. There are many different
Brigades. There is not a unified command across the Brigades. We will
start with the main cities - Nablus, Hebron and Jenin and after that add
Brigades from other locations.

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