Israeli Defense Minister Confirms Gestures Package

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday confirmed what the Olmert government will and will not do on the defense front in order to further the peace process with the Palestinians. Barak said no to repeated American and Palestinian demands that Israeli check points and road blocks be removed from Palestinian areas, citing the high probability that such a move would lead to terrorist infiltrations into Israel‘s population centers. But Barak will allow 600 U.S.-trained troops to be deployed in Jenin, the transfer to the Palestinian security forces of 25 armored vehicles donated by Russia, large quantities of Kalashnikov automatic rifles, ammunition and perhaps the most controversial item from the standpoint of Israel‘s soldiers, night-vision equipment. Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed skepticism regarding the willingness of Palestinians to combat terror and said that the dearth of terrorist attacks is to the credit of Israel‘s security forces.