Arafat seriously ill ... near death?

Click the headline of the article, msolga ... its the link to the source. The World Tribune is given to geopolitical sensationalism, but frequently is at the leading edge of breaking news. They have their hits and their misses when it comes to their "Exclusives" and "Specials", and its a source I watch closely, though not uncritically. They're the freebie side of Geostrategy Direct, a subscription intel site nowhere near as credible as Stratfor, but interesting none the less.

A small grain of salt is plenty ... World Tribune is much more reliable than Debka, or Rense, for instance, and, IMO, about on a par with, if not slightly better than Drudge.

Arafat Has Liver Failure, Palestinian Official Says



Source

Well, officially, nothing has changed since last Thursday (when the last official bulletin was given by the medecins).

At least, such was said by General Dr. Christian Estripeau, "directeur de la communication du service de santé des armées":

"Yasser Arafat est dans un état inchangé par rapport au dernier bulletin de santé".

And on Thursday, Arafat's situation was according to Estripeau "pas aggravé" and "considéré comme stable".

Sorta reminiscent of General Franco's protracted and oft-disputed progression toward room temperature. Seems like what we got so far is Arafat's not dead. Yet. Again. Probably. Soon though. Or maybe not. But it doesn't look good. There are however promising signs (applicable either way ). Updates may be expected soon. There is nothing new to report. Despite rumors to the contrary, rumors abound.


Sheeesh.

Already arguing about the grave: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3990385.stm

Israel plans for Arafat burial


Arafat's funeral would be a huge world event
The Israeli government has made plans for Yasser Arafat to be buried in the Gaza Strip, against the ailing leader's reported wish for a grave in Jerusalem.
Palestinians would be allowed to cross from the West Bank and Arab leaders with no diplomatic ties with Israel would also be allowed to attend.

A senior Arafat official reacted to news of the Israeli plans by saying they were inappropriate.

Mr Arafat remains critically ill at a hospital in France.

The two top Palestinian officials, PLO acting chief Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei are flying to his bedside on Monday, officials said.

We can arrange it so that passage through the crossings is easy and simple


Funeral conundrum

Christian Estripeau, a spokesman for the Percy military hospital outside Paris, told the BBC on Sunday he was aware of speculation about Mr Arafat's state of health.

However, he said he was unable to comment and, in accordance with the wishes of Yasser Arafat's wife, Suha, he could only repeat the official hospital line that the Palestinian leader was not dead.

Earlier, Palestinian officials speculated that he might be suffering from liver failure while other reports said he had emerged from a coma.

In the nine days Yasser Arafat has been at the hospital, the cause of his illness has never been disclosed and rumours have continued to circulate that he has fallen into an irreversible coma, the BBC's Katya Adler reports from Paris.

'No problem'

Israeli Interior Minister Avraham Poraz said arrangements for a Gaza burial would not be difficult.

"We can arrange it so that passage through the crossings is easy and simple - and that's what will happen," he said.

His ministry, he said, would ensure there would be "no problem at all" with heads of state coming to Israel to visit the territories.

An Israeli government spokesman stressed it was only a contingency plan, and that they were waiting for the Palestinians to make an official request, but he said so far there had been no contact.

Israel is opposed to burying Mr Arafat in Jerusalem, with Justice Minister Yosef Lapid saying it is a city "where Jews bury their kings... not a city [for burying] an Arab terrorist".

Neglected cemetery

A Palestinian official told the BBC the Israeli plans were "rather outrageous" and said the Israelis were denying Mr Arafat his right to be buried in East Jerusalem.


Mourners would find it hard to cram into the Khan Younis cemetery

"For Israelis, the further away [he is buried], the better," said the official, who did not wish to be named.

He added that the Palestinians did not have any leverage in negotiations since, under Islamic traditions, Mr Arafat would have to be buried as quickly as possible.

A Palestinian minister, Saeb Erekat, said it was inappropriate to discuss the burial issue while Arafat was alive.

"I think it's not for the Israelis to decide and I would urge the Israelis to show some sensitivity," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

Reports say Israel would prefer for Mr Arafat to be buried in his family plot in the Gaza refugee camp of Khan Younis, particularly since it intends to pull out of Gaza next year and could distance itself from a potential place of pilgrimage.

However, the tiny cemetery where the leader's father and sister are buried is ankle-deep in rubbish and reeks of donkey dung from a neighbouring market, correspondents say.

"I don't want the president to be buried here," local butcher Saleh Zaourb, 48, told AFP news agency. "Other places would be more fitting - Jerusalem is the best place, otherwise Gaza City."

Gonna be a tough political problem - never mind trying to contain the funeral...

Reuters, AP and AFP news wires just now:

Official: Arafat Dead

Now on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC News Radio

Press conference "Momentarily"


Looks like this is real.

as well as BBC News.

Finally! Good riddance!

Yahoo too.

He contained many contradictions, but I respect the peaceable things he tried to accomplish.

Now what? :-?

Listening.

Dead
Really, Most Sincerely Dead!

Let's give 'em a state!

Sharon's reaction

Pretty good bio/obit: Yasser Arafat (1929 - 2004)


If any are interested enough to want to follow along, a fairly reliable overview of Middle Eastern perspective is available through al Bawaba, a portal to a broad sampling of the region's press and media. For balance, one should refer as well to the rather differently oriented Jerusalem Post. Here's their obituary

Helicopter carrying body of Yasser Arafat takes off from Paris hospital for flight to Cairo.

How world leaders reacted
November 12, 2004


US President George Bush

"The death of Yasser Arafat is a significant moment in Palestinians' history. We express our condolences for the Palestinian people. We hope that the future will bring peace and the fulfilment of the aspirations for an independent democratic Palestine that is at peace with its neighbours.

"During the period of transition that is ahead, we urge all in the region and throughout the world to join in helping to make progress toward these goals and toward the ultimate goal of peace."

Former Palestinian security minister Mohammed Dahlan

"There will be a smooth transfer of President Arafat's responsibilities."

Israeli Justice Minister Yosef Lapid

"Without Arafat there could have already been peace in the region and a Palestinian state . . . the Government of Israel will continue with its efforts to reach peace."

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri

"The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns with pride for our Palestinian people, for our Muslim and Arab nation, the great leader Yasser Arafat. An icon of our struggle and a great Palestinian symbol."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard

"I think history will judge him very harshly for not having seized the opportunity in the year 2000 to embrace the offer that was very courageously made by the then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, that involved the Israelis agreeing to about 90 per cent of what the Palestinians wanted."

Jack Rosen, chairman of the American Jewish Congress

"Should the Palestinians choose to allow a new leadership to emerge that will support true peace with Israel, a two-state solution can be negotiated that will enable both peoples to grow and prosper alongside one another."

Hu Jintao, Chinese President

"His death is not only a great loss for the Palestinian people, but the Chinese people also lost a great friend. Arafat was a brilliant leader of the Palestinian undertaking and an outstanding politician.

"He devoted his life to the righteous undertaking of fighting for the resumption of the legal and ethnic rights and interests of the Palestinian people, winning the deep respect and support of the Palestinian people and enjoying great prestige in the international community. I believe the Palestinian Government and people will inherit Arafat's unfinished undertaking and continue to promote the Middle East peace process."

Russian President Vladimir Putin

"It is a big loss for the Palestinian leadership and all Palestinians."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair

"President Arafat came to symbolise the Palestinian national movement. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 jointly with Yitzhak Rabin in recognition of their efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. He led his people to an historic acceptance and the need for a two-state solution.

"That goal of a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel is one we must continue to work tirelessly to achieve. Peace in the Middle East must be the international community's highest priority."

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi

"Yasser Arafat was indeed a pioneer who had laid out the foundation for the establishment of a Palestinian state. I sincerely hope the Palestinians overcome their sorrow and continue with their struggle for achieving peace and prosperity in the region."

- Reuters


http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/11/11/1100131134126.html?from=moreStories

Arafat's funeral arrangements made
November 12, 2004 - 8:44AM/SMH

Yasser Arafat's body arrived in Egypt as authorities prepared for a strictly controlled and brief military funeral where dignitaries from around the world will pay their respects.

But the people - among whom Arafat was popular - will be mostly shut out of the funeral.

Arafat had not anointed a successor, but within hours the PLO elected former Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas as its new chief, virtually ensuring he takes over as Palestinian leader, at least in the short term. ...

<continued>
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Arafats-funeral-arrangements-mades/2004/11/12/1100131167146.html

I like John Howard's statement best