Palestinian agents being trained by CIA

WASHINGTON, MARCH 6: The US State Department confirmed today that the Central Intelligence Agency is helping train Palestinian agents to head off acts of terrorism.

Spokesman James Foley, confirming a report that appeared in today’s New York Times, said that CIA agents are “working closely” with Palestinians. The arrangement, according to the Times, had been cleared with the Israeli government which supported the move.

Israeli and Palestinian agents announced today that they had arrested a number of men belonging to Hamas, the organization which has claimed responsibility for recent bombing attacks on Israeli cities.

The newspaper in its report said that CIA agents were training Palestinians in intelligence, counter-intellignce and interrogation methods as part of a programme stepping up anti-terrorism efforts.