Palestinian Security Forces Found Weak

A survey coordinated by the Palestinian Authority has found its security forces are divided, weak and overstaffed, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

The survey said the forces also are badly motivated and not adequately armed, the report said. The survey was done to assist U.S. Lt. Gen. William E. Ward, who has been appointed to overhaul the security apparatus since the death of Yasser Arafat.

The findings were reviewed by senior American and Palestinian officials including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Times said.

They will form the basis for Palestinian security cooperation with Israel before, during and after the Israeli pullout of its settlers from the Gaza Strip, set for mid-August.

The report said the biggest risk to a successful Israeli disengagement will be rocket or mortar attacks from Islamic Jihad or other militant groups. It also saw risks of Israeli settler incursions to provoke violent Palestinian reaction, the report said.

The survey was prepared by Washington-based Strategic Assessments Initiative, and financed by the Dutch and Canadian governments.