Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin, presenting certificates to Arab local officials from Gaza who completed courses in civil administration at Tel Aviv. University, promised that the defense establishment plans to transfer “as many functions as possible” to Arab officials in the administered territories.
The recipients hold the rank of directors-general in various departments of the civil administration in Gaza. Rabin said certain civilian powers would be delegated to them “and to all those Arab residents of Gaza who are within these systems.” He said that would be done within the framework of the military and civilian governments in the territory.
“Only terrorism can undercut and disrupt this process,” Rabin declared. “We shall do all that we can to improve the quality of life and the standards of living within the framework of the civil administration. At the same time, we shall fight terrorism with all of our strength,” he said, adding, “We view this as two separate, unconnected matters.”
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