U.S. proposal would expand Karni crossing, place int'l observers

[bemildred]

Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed in principle to station international observers at the Karni border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

The idea was proposed by the United States security coordinator in the territories, General Keith Dayton, who presented a detailed proposal last week to PA representatives and to Defense Minister Amir Peretz.

According to Dayton's proposal, a copy of which has been obtained by Haaretz, some 90 international observers would be stationed at Karni, backed by 30 staff assistants. In addition, the terminal - which is the main cargo transit point between Gaza and Israel - would be expanded on both sides of the border.

The observers would be stationed on the Palestinian side of the terminal, and their job would be to ensure that the PA security personnel stationed there do what is necessary to prevent terror attacks in the vicinity. The PA personnel would be drawn mainly from PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' presidential guard, and would receive additional equipment and training in order to improve their performance. Currently, several different PA security services are responsible for security at Karni.

Haaretz

[Englander]

1. This is an excellent proposal, one I hope is implemented.

If this is a way to re-open Karni, & keep it operating as a viable trade terminal, then the plan
should be implemented. Hopefully the occupier & the occupied will allow this to go ahead.

From the article;

'Karni is Gaza's economic lifeline. According to Salim Abu Safiyeh, the PA official in charge of security at Gaza's border crossings, some 200,000 Gazan employees depend on Karni for their livelihood: The raw materials that enter Gaza via Karni are essential to keep dozens of small factories operating, and the same holds for the exports that leave Gaza through this crossing. However, due to repeated threats of terror attacks at the terminal, Israel has frequently shut it down, resulting in a virtual cessation of exports and a sharp reduction in imports of raw materials. That, said Abu Safiyeh, has been a major factor in the collapse of Gaza's economy.

Under Dayton's plan, some 400 trucks a day would leave Gaza through the expanded terminal, up from almost none at present. '

[Englander]

2. Palestinians back plan for Gaza crossing monitors

GAZA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Palestinians support a U.S. proposal to deploy international monitors at Gaza's main commercial crossing to ensure the gateway remains open, a Palestinian official said on Monday.

Israel has shut the Karni crossing with Gaza frequently this year because of what it says are threats from Palestinian militants. Most recently, Karni has been closed since Aug. 15.

The U.S. proposal, submitted to donors early this month and seen by Reuters, includes the deployment of 90 foreign monitors and expanding the crossing at a cost of some $19 million.

"We have asked for an international team to be present in this very important and vital crossing to make sure the crossing continues to operate in both directions," said Saeb Erekat, head of the Palestinian Crossings Authority.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L28850915.htm

[pelsar]

3. sounds reasonable...

hope the intl observers dont run off at the first attack (i'm abit cynical)...they will probably be considered by some to be ocupation troops....worth a try, see if the palestenians can protect it.