MONITORING THE PEACE

October 26, 1998
		Last week's peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians calls for the CIA to play a key role in the fight against terrorism. Following a background report, Elizabeth Farnsworth and guests discuss the CIA's new role in the Middle East peace process.

Oct. 26, 1998: A discussion on the CIA's role in the Middle East peace process. Oct. 23, 1998: Samuel Berger, the National Security Adviser on the "land-for-peace" agreement. Oct. 23, 1998: Three Middle East experts discuss the deal between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Oct. 23, 1998: Mark Shields and Paul Gigot discuss the Middle East peace agreement and other issues. June 3, 1998: The CIA's failure to foresee India's nuclear tests draws Congressional ire. March 12, 1997: Day two of the Senate confirmation hearings for the nominee to head the CIA. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of the Middle East and Federal Agencies.     Central Intelligence Agency	ELIZABETH FARNSWORTH: A week ago when a Palestinian terrorist hurled two hand grenades at an Israeli bus in the town of Beersheba, injuring more than sixty people, many believed the attack was carefully timed to derail the peace talks under way in Maryland. But an accord was reached. And it provides new ways to crack down on terrorism and to punish for those who perpetrate the violence. The agreement calls for the Central Intelligence Agency to play a key role in fighting terrorism. On The Newshour Friday, National Security Adviser Samuel Berger described the CIA role.
	The CIA's new role.
	SAMUEL BERGER: We will help, I think, give the Israelis confidence that the Palestinians are living up to their obligations and the Palestinians confidence that they will get full credit for what they do with the Israeli people. There will be – as I say -- a systematic effort to go at terrorists, go at terrorist networks. We will be there to provide assistance, and in --not so much --- an operational sense as really in an information-sharing and verification sense. ELIZABETH FARNSWORTH: Yesterday, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said the new responsibilities aren't that different from past practice. MADELEINE ALBRIGHT: First of all, I think that the CIA has played roles previously in terms of monitoring and verifying other agreements previously in the region. We're there, as we are in the peace talks, always as the honest broker, as assisting in this, and I think it's a perfectly appropriate role. ELIZABETH FARNSWORTH: The agreement, called the Wye Memorandum, for the Wye River Conference Center where it was negotiated, lays out some details for CIA participation, though the published text does not explicitly mention the agency. The memorandum says a "U.S.-Palestinian committee" will "review the steps being taken to eliminate terrorist cells and the support structure that plans terror." A "U.S.-Palestinian committee" will also "review and evaluate information" pertinent to the prosecution and punishment of individuals suspected of abetting or perpetrating acts of terrorism. A "U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee" will "assist and enhance cooperation in preventing the smuggling...of weapons or explosive material into areas under Palestinian jurisdiction." A U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee will also monitor cases "of possible incitement to violence or terror" and "make recommendations" on how to prevent such incitement. And a "high-ranking" U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee will "assess current threats" and deal with any impediments to the fight against terrorism. In addition, news reports indicate the CIA will contribute high tech security devices for the border and train Palestinian security forces, as the agency has in the past.

REGIONS TOPICS RECENT PROGRAMS ABOUT US FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS / FEEDS:

Support the kind of journalism done by the NewsHour...Become a member of your local PBS station.
PBS Online Privacy Policy Copyright ©1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved.