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Russian training personnel in Gaza to assist PA forces
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| 26 October 2005 |
By Mohammed Najib JDW Correspondent
Ramallah
Russian military experts and security personnel have arrived in the Gaza Strip and have begun training Palestinian security forces to enforce law and order, Palestinian Authority (PA) security officials told JDW.
"The Russian officers looked into the requirements of our security forces to ascertain the areas where assistance is needed," Colonel Tawfiq Abu Khousa, spokesperson for the PA Ministry of Interior told JDW. "The Russians are ready to provide us with ammunition and light arms but [the decision] is up to the Israeli government, which is still refusing to authorise armament provision for our forces," he added.
Russia earlier this year offered to donate two upgraded Mi-17 medium transport helicopters and 50 ex-Russian armed forces BRDM-2 4 x 4 armoured scout vehicles to the PA. To date Israel has refused to authorise the delivery of this donation to the PA.
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