The Palestinian Authority has no intention of disarming militant groups as long as the Israeli occupation continues, the foreign minister said Saturday.
Israel has long demanded the Palestinians crack down on the militant groups, but Palestinian officials have chosen instead to try to co-opt the militants.
"The dismantling of armed organizations is not on the table because weapons are legal as long as the occupation exists," Foreign Minister Nasser Al Kidwa told Palestinian television, according to a transcript released by his office. "Possession of weapons is a strategic issue as long as there is occupation."
However,
Al Kidwa said the weapons should be organized and not used to break the law. Some of the powerful militant groups operate as armed gangs in Palestinian towns and cities, challenging the security forces and fomenting chaos and violence. More than four years of fighting with Israel has badly weakened the security forces.
Early Saturday, about 40 gunmen from various militant groups attacked a security headquarters in Gaza City, sparking a shootout with Palestinian security officers. No one was injured, witnesses and security officials said. Soon after the fighting stopped shots were fired near the Gaza house of a Palestinian security chief, Brig. Gen. Rashid Abu Shbak. No injuries were reported in that shooting either.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050611/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians...............................................................
Spineless. First it was weapons are illegal, then hamas wins big.....now its 'well.....we really didnt mean it'.
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