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July 27, 2001/Av 7, 5761, Vol. 53, No.42
Details unclear on CIA monitoring role in Mideast
MATTHEW E. BERGER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
WASHINGTON - Israel has agreed to the presence of U.S. monitors for a fragile cease-fire with the Palestinian Authority, but much remains unclear about the scope and timing of any international presence in the Middle East.
Bowing to a growing push for an observer force in the West Bank and Gaza Strip - most strongly articulated at this week's meeting of G-8 leaders in Genoa, Italy - Israel has accepted the idea of CIA officials serving as monitors.
But while the CIA has stretched its mission to include facilitating security talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, serving as international observers would move the agency into uncharted territory.
A monitoring role would be the latest escalation of the Bush administration's part in the Mideast conflict. The administration, which has been hesitant to take broad steps, would be intervening in response to requests from Europe and the Arab world.
The Bush White House originally said the CIA would not play a role in the Middle East conflict, despite the fact that CIA Director George Tenet was involved in negotiating a final status security agreement at the failed Camp David talks last July.
Within a few months of the Bush administration taking office, however, Tenet was back in the region facilitating security talks.
The administration had stood by Israel's refusal to admit international monitors. Israel fears monitors merely would provide cover for attacks by Palestinian militants, while documenting and criticizing the Israeli army's response.
On his recent trip, Powell first voiced U.S. support for the monitor idea, then backtracked in the face of Israeli criticism. Since then, Israel and the United States have been negotiating the issue, and have agreed that an augmented CIA role would be acceptable.
Some remain skeptical that monitors will be able to stem the slide toward escalation in the region.
"People would like to see some kind of system that is acceptable to both sides that could actually help the situation, but I'm not sure it's going to work," said Edward Walker, president of the Middle East Institute and a former ambassador to Israel and Egypt.
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