Israel plans remote-control border after a withdrawal from Gaza Strip

JERUSALEM (AP) _ The Israeli army envisions a ``remote control'' border with the Gaza Strip after a troop withdrawal, including unmanned patrol cars and computerized observation posts that would

Thursday, June 17th 2004, 11:27 am

By: News On 6

JERUSALEM (AP) _ The Israeli army envisions a ``remote control'' border with the Gaza Strip after a troop withdrawal, including unmanned patrol cars and computerized observation posts that would automatically spot and kill attackers, a military official said Friday.

The technology already exists, but the plan hasn't been approved yet, and fallback options are being considered, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Also Friday, Yasser Arafat was quoted as saying he ``definitely'' understands that Israel must retain its Jewish character _ a rare acknowledgment by the Palestinian leader. However, Arafat was evasive when asked by the Haaretz daily about the fate of more than 4 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

In peace talks, the Palestinians have insisted that Israel recognize the refugees' ``right of return.'' Israel refuses, saying a mass influx of Palestinians will undermine the Jewish character of the state. The dispute has contributed to the collapse of negotiations in the past.

In the interview with Haaretz, Arafat suggested that many refugees could settle in a future Palestinian state, but refused to say how many should be allowed into Israel.

The resumption of negotiations on a final peace deal appears remote, with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon forging ahead with his plan of ``unilateral disengagement'' from the Palestinians.

As part of the plan, Israel would withdraw from Gaza and four small West Bank settlements by the end of September 2005. Israel would also expand large West Bank settlements it intends to keep and complete construction of a West Bank separation barrier that would become the border until a final peace deal is reached.

Military officials said Sharon expects the military to present a detailed plan for the Gaza withdrawal by July. Army planners estimate that the troop redeployment would cost $223 million, the Yediot Ahronot newspaper reported Friday.

The Palestinian Authority and militant groups in the Gaza Strip have begun drafting an agreement on how to run the territory jointly after an Israeli withdrawal, officials said Friday.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, who met Friday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, confirmed that the document was being written and said it would be completed after additional talks in Egypt.

An Israeli army think tank has been working on a new border design for months, the military officials said. The planners envision a ``remote control'' border that will cut down on the number of troops being deployed in the area. High-tech equipment for border control is already being tested, they added.

A computerized observation system will allow the army to identify ``hostile elements'' and fire deep into Gaza, Yediot said. The system will even choose the most appropriate weapon to use to hit a specific target.

In addition, the army is testing unmanned patrol cars that can identify and defuse explosives by remote control. Planners have prepared alternatives in case the technology is not useable in time, military officials said.

On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Ministry published a bid for an 80-foot-deep trench between Egypt and Gaza meant to block Palestinian arms smuggling after a withdrawal.

The trench would cost millions, and military officials said it remains unclear whether more Palestinian homes would have to be demolished to make room for it.

Such plans deepen Palestinian fears that Israel will block all movement in and out of Gaza. ``The Israeli government is planning to turn Gaza into a big prison, with 1.3 million people,'' said Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat. ``I think it would be better to have ... security cooperation. That's what people do when they have a shared border.''

However, Israel says that it needs to seal Gaza to prevent attacks by Palestinian militants. On Friday, a homemade rocket was fired from Gaza at the Israeli bordertown of Sderot, landing in the backyard of a home. The rocket caused some damage, but no injury. Dozens of such rockets have been fired in more than three years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.