Palestinian Authority: U.S. Assistance Is Training and Equipping Security Forces, but the Program Needs to Measure Progress and Faces Logistical Constraints
Abstract
The 2003 Roadmap for Peace process sponsored by the United States and other nations obligates the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Government of Israel to undertake security efforts as a necessary precursor for achieving the long-standing objective of establishing a Palestinian state as part of the two-state solution for peace in the Middle East. In 2005 the Department of State (State) created the office of the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) to help the parties meet these obligations. GAO was asked to (1) describe the nature and extent of U.S. security assistance to the PA since 2007; (2) assess States efforts to measure the effectiveness of its security assistance; and (3) describe factors that may affect the implementation of U.S. security assistance programs. GAO analyzed documents; interviewed officials and regional experts; and conducted fieldwork in Jerusalem, the West Bank, Israel, and Jordan. GAO recommends that, as State develops the USSC campaign plan for providing security assistance to the PA, the Secretary of State should define specific objectives and establish outcome-based indicators enabling it to assess progress. State partially concurred with this recommendation. It agreed with the need for more performance-based indicators, but noted that factors outside its control influence progress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- AD1179132
Entities
People
- B. P. Hickey
- Cheryl Goodman
- David Gootnick
- Jillena Robert
- Joseph P Carney
- Martin de Alteriis
- Mary Moutsos
- Michael Maslowski
- Reid L. Lowe
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office