Israel delays delivery of 50 armored vehicles to PA
Published yesterday (updated) 28/08/2010 15:12
www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=311122

MOSCOW (Ma'an) -- Fifty armored vehicles from Russia set to be delivered to
the Palestinian Authority have been held up in Jordan by Israeli border
officials, the Palestinian ambassador to Russia said Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Ambassador Fayed Mustafa said the
delay was a result of "procedures carried out by Israel in a clear attempt
to delay the delivery."

In light of the upcoming peace talks in Washington, Mustafa continued, he
said he hoped Israel could resolve the issue and maintain a positive
atmosphere ahead of the negotiations.

The vehicles arrived in Jordan in June, and were used in training exercises
by PA security forces. They were expected to be delivered to the PA in
August.

At the end of July, the Israeli military recommended that the Israeli
government allow the vehicles to be imported, following weeks of controversy
over the deal.

At the time, analysts in Israel said that if the armored vehicles were let
through, it could be part of the attempt by the Israeli government and the
US administration to coax Abbas into direct talks with Israel. Abbas agreed
to talks on 20 August.

Russia first offered the vehicles in 2005, in what some called an attempt to
bolster the rule of Fatah, but the plan was stalled in the wake of the civil
unrest following the election of Hamas.

In 2008, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert approved the transfer of
25 modified vehicles, but revoked the decision under internal pressure from
the right wing, Israeli daily Haaretz said.

The report said that the Israeli army central command and the Coordinator of
Government Activities in Palestinian Territories have since recommended the
Israeli government agrees to PA requests to transfer the vehicles, citing
strengthened security relations between the PA and Israel.