in Palestine

    Initially I feel the need to apologise to my fellow readers. It has been long since my last post and for sure some of you have lost track of my ‘adventures’ in the occupied Palestinian Territories. This simply happened because these ‘adventures’ have come to an end.

    Leaving a mission is not an easy thing; especially after four years. Many of you know this better than I do. Leaving USSC and the Palestinian Ministry of Interior was not an exception.

With Their Excellencies clockwise: President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Theofilos the 3rd, Minister of Interior Dr. Said AbuAli and the USSC VADM Paul Bushong.

    Political impediments, lack of funds and shifts to Greek diplomacy led to an end of the cooperation between Palestinians, USSC and the Greek Government and consequently my secondment as a Technical Advisor.

End of mission brings good and bad things. The way I see things, a new chapter begins; new career perspectives, new posts, new challenges. But all at the same time leave a bitter taste at the end. Goodbyes and farewells with great colleagues and friends, incomplete work and an ‘empty chair’ – where in my case, unfortunately didn’t have a successor.

    I feel sad for many reasons. I left a great Team and a great working environment; a prestigious mission with sound impacts. Also, I left programmes and projects unfinished; deprived from the pleasure to see ‘seeds blossom and flourish giving goods’. But the remedy to my sadness is what I have witnessed. Throughout my four year secondment I was privileged to see the progress and the change in the Palestinian Security Forces. A strong and organisationally matured Ministry and professional and effective Security Services within the framework of democratic governance, rule of law and human rights. Although, always there will be space for improvements. The reference to the numerous changes I have seen is beyond the scope of this post. And this is exactly what consolates my sadness.

    Leaving with all the honours received stigmatised me and sealed a confirmed and recognised commitment and contribution from my side. The photos of this posts may evidence this to you. For me things are not as they seem to be.

All this, aside from sad, is unfair. Below is a part of my leaving speech:

“I came here to serve and support you. I came here to give. But also I took from you and I’m afraid that I took more than what I gave. I’m not leaving Palestine empty-handed. I came as a Police Officer and now leaving as Police Officer. The difference is; that I’m leaving a better person”.

    Through this post and by repeating my last words I want to thank all of you for working with me and supporting me in this mission. I want to thank all the friends and everyone for everything. For this experience, for the unique moments. And to wish you all the best and to continue with the same and even greater intense and commitment. Especially in these days where our values and professionalism is challenged from instability and security risks in all West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Soon I believe that I can be proud to say that I did my part in the ‘State of Palestine’.

Home is where your heart beats; I left a part of my heart back in Ramallah; in Palestine. 

PASF Logistics

    The importance of Logistics in the broaden security sector (Police, Military, etc.) has received a broad recognition. The same applies to private companies and enterprises. The concept of logistics can be defined in numerous ways as it completes the triangle between Management / Command and Human Resources. Quite commonly, and in a simplified way, "Logistics is when you pull the trigger and you hear 'BANG'"!

      Going back, few years ago, the field of Logistics for the PASF was a dark area and for sure was not given the proper attention that required. A reason for that was the fact that various donors were providing everything for the sustainability of the PASF and their operations. As things were tightening up and due to budget / funding cuts, donors demanded the maintenance and good (rational) use of their provisions. As responsibilities were given to PASF and ownership was handed over, the need for Logistics and Logistic support became more prominent than any other.

    Reaching this point, the Ministry of Interior, through the Central Training Administration, is proud to announce the first tangible results in this field. Of course previous efforts by other actors should not be neglected, such as the work of the Canadian Proteus Team of USSC. CTA starting from the base that Canadian experts build / established within the PASF, with them, moved forward by standardising the basic Logistics functions and procedures adjusted both to international standards (NATO) and to the local Logistics tasks and functions. The outcome is a comprehensive PASF Basic Logistics Handbook, accompanied by a training curriculum, pending approval by the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

     After approval and printing / production of the above-mentioned Handbook / Manual, next step in the whole project of Logistics will be the design and delivery of a Basic Logistics Officers' Course. The course will be the first attempt in standardinsing the concept of Logistics in PASF and therefore targets individual Officers among the PASF, who hold key positions in Logistics functions. 

    Shared ambition of both USSC and PASF and MoI is building the capacity at the very basic (tactical - operational) level, to use it as the ground for the development of Intermediate and Advanced Logistics Courses and Guideline Manuals. This bottom-up approach with Palestinian participation included will strengthen the current Logistics functions and frame the whole concepts in a strategic framework for not only the PASF and MoI, but also the PNA.