Ethan Bronner: U.S. Helps Palestinians Build Force for Security

Bronner makes a fine stenographer. An intrepid journalist would get the back story on these guard members, more than a few do not appear to be Palestinian, all loyal to U.S.-Israeli interests only.

General Dayton was due to end his three-year assignment, but Mr. Mitchell asked him to stay on for two more years and he has agreed. His decision has been greeted with something approaching jubilation in these camps, where the commanders have come to trust him and to view Washington, through him, as a true ally.

“We have been trained with American money and by General Dayton, and that means a lot to us,” said Brig. Gen. Munir al-Zoubi, commander of the 1,800-man Presidential Guard, the elite force that protects top officials and guests. “We are here to enforce law and order and to use all means to fight terrorism.”