CIA Director George Tenet and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Affairs William Burns are to arrive in the region next week to debate promised reforms in the Palestinian Authority, Israeli public radio reported.
Although it was not clear from the report exactly when the two were expected to arrive, the radio added Tenet would review reform of the Palestinian security services, and would be looking to encourage a resumption of security cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians.
Burns' visit would be focused on the reforms within the Palestinian Authority itself, the radio said.
But US consulate spokeswoman Pat Kabra denied the report, saying it was "very unlikely" they would be coming next week. "No definite date has been set for the visit -- we have nothing from the president about when they would be arriving," she told AFP, adding it was unlikely the two men would come at the same time. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
