What I believe is not really important. But I do not think Arafat was sincere. That does not mean that some, like a Pope, might continue to try to keep the lines of communication open. I can agree with Bush as an American in insisting on Arafat being replaced as a "partner" to any talks. But I can also as a Catholic see why the Pope would continue to work with what is there.
SD
Michael Savage is absolutely correct when he refers to Arafat as "Hitler in a headscarf". There is only one way to deal with these kinds of people. And it's not "keeping the lines of communication open".