Bush Pulls CIA From Facilitator Role In Middle East
WASHINGTON, March 22 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - U.S. President George W. Bush's administration has ended the CIA's role as a broker between Israeli and Palestinian security forces and is urging the two sides to talk directly to each other instead, CNN reports U.S. officials as saying.
The decision, aimed at promoting direct cooperation between both sides, came despite requests from top Palestinian officials for a continuation of the CIA's role in exchanging intelligence and putting down "terrorism", according to an unnamed senior U.S. official quoted by the Washington Post.
The move falls in line with Bush's reappraisal of the U.S. role in the Middle East peace process, which includes a more hands-off approach than the detailed bargaining that was common under former president Bill Clinton.
Initial reaction at the CIA was one of relief. "No one here is upset about missing out on the opportunity to engage," one unidentified CIA official told the daily.
The CIA reluctantly assumed its role as broker at Israel's request four years ago. It included passing intelligence information and processing complaints, pressing for closer coordination and arbitrating disputes over how to address specific threats, the Post said.
The CIA's involvement in the Middle East, the Post added, had been waning even before the decision to end it.
The role also evolved largely because of Palestinian requests for help in dealing with the Israelis, and U.S. officials concede the Palestinians "are not pleased" to see it diminished.
CIA officials, however, have never been comfortable playing the relatively visible role of intermediaries between the Israelis and Palestinian, CNN adds.
The Post adds that the CIA will remain active in Israeli and Palestinian areas, continuing its traditional role of reporting on developments and maintaining bilateral relations, placing special emphasis on its long-standing ties to Israeli intelligence.
