TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The United States will send a general to help the Palestinians build their security capacity and monitor implementation of Israeli and Palestinian obligations.
Addressing a press conference at Israel's Ben Gurion airport after two days of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Washington would provide the Palestinians with $40 million to create jobs, and develop the private sector and infrastructure.
She relayed President Bush's invitations to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to come to the United States in the spring.
The "senior U.S. security coordinator" would be Lt. Gen. William Ward who will come to the area in a few weeks for an "initial assessment," Rice said.
He will "assist" the Palestinian Authority's security efforts, which Abbas told her need help. They are "of variable quality," Abbas said, according to Rice.
Ward will also encourage the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian security coordination, and monitor implementation of each side's commitments.
