Posted on 11/07/2004 8:51:28 PM PST by Flavius
Yasser Arafat is all but dead with only the time of death and place of burial to be determined.
Conflicting reports over the Palestinian president's health have hugged headlines for days. Arafat's health was described initially two weeks ago as the flu, it then became a stomach ailment, and as he was being flown on October 29 to the Percy military training hospital in Paris there was the suggestion of a virus. Then it came down to a blood disorder and possibly leukemia, which was later ruled out. He was then described as being in a coma, firstly an irreversible coma, then a reversible one. He was invariably described as being "on life support", that he was "in intensive care", in "critical condition", he was "fighting for his life", and that he was "brain dead."
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker and Israeli media went so far as to say that he had "died". Juncker said in Brussels at 1640 GMT on Thursday, "Mr. Arafat passed away a quarter of an hour ago." His aides later retracted the statement. French President Jacques Chirac, who made a half-hour visit to the hospital refused to answer journalists' questions as to whether Arafat was dead.
French officials have refused to take questions, as have hospital staff. Official statements have described the 75-year old leader's condition as "complex", "stable", and "not having deteriorated."
Reports as of last Thursday from various anonymous sources, Israeli officials and U.S. administration sources (unnamed) support the basis that Arafat's condition is terminal and that he is on life-support. Palestinian officials and Arafat's wife Suha are discussing plans for him to be taken off life-support, probably later this week. Negotiations though are believed to be tense as Suha Arafat went public Monday accusing Palestinian officials of wanting to "bury" her husband "alive."
In a telephone call from Arafat's bedside to al-Jazeera's office in Ramallah she said, "You have to realize the size of the conspiracy. I tell you they are trying to bury Abu Ammar alive." A producer from Al-Jazeera told The Associated Press they were confident it was Suha Arafat and that she had called from the hospital.
Former and current Palestinian prime ministers Mahmud Abbas and Ahmed Qorei are expected in Paris later on Monday, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier confirmed.
Two weeks ago rumours swept the United Arab Emirates that the President of the UAE Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had died. That was a week before his death. There is no verification that the highly regarded 86 year old leader was kept alive on life support whilst preparations were made for his death but under Islamic tradition burial is required within 24 hours of death so it is possible.
Palestinian leaders have been holding talks for days to organise a restructuring of the Palestinian Authority post-Arafat. There are also intensive negotiations underway with Israel to determine his burial place. Arafat had a last wish to be buried in Jerusalem but Israeli Justice Minister Yosef Lapid slammed the idea. "Jerusalem is the city where Jewish kings are buried, not Arab terrorists," he said. Israel insists Arafat when he "dies" will be buried in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian negotiations minister Saeb Erakat said, "It's not appropriate to speak about someone's burial while he is still alive. President Arafat is alive," he said.
The cause of Arafat's illness remains a mystery.
I guess the announcement will come when the ice thaws.
You left off "For the Fiords" . Dunno if I spelled that rite..............FRegards
You left off "For the Fiords" . Dunno if I spelled that rite..............FRegards
Damn - I did it again! Sorry............FRegards
The cause of Arafat's illness remains a mystery
Why don't they tell the truth that he has aids.
Wonder if the loving wife has it too?
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