Steve B
11-11-2004, 04:03 AM
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat dead
75-year-old, both revered and reviled, succumbs to unknown disease
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 3:54 a.m. ET Nov. 11, 2004RAMALLAH, West Bank - Yasser Arafat, the guerrilla leader turned Nobel Peace Prize winner who forced his people’s plight into the world spotlight, died Thursday at age 75 — still reviled by many as a terrorist.
Arafat died at 3:30 a.m. in a French military hospital. His last days were as murky and dramatic as his life. Arafat was flown to France on Oct. 29 after nearly three years of being penned in his West Bank headquarters by Israeli tanks.
He initially improved but then sharply deteriorated as rumors swirled about his illness. Neither doctors nor Palestinian leaders would say what killed Arafat.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians poured into the streets of the Gaza Strip in a spontaneous show of grief. Dozens of gunmen fired into the air, and marchers waved Palestinian flags.
Mosques blared Quranic verses and children burned tires on the main streets, covering the skies in black smoke. People pasted posters of Arafat on building walls.
Within hours, former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas was chosen to succeed Arafat as leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia was expected remain in charge of day-to-day governing.
Parliament Speaker Rauhi Fattouh was to be sworn in as Palestinian Authority president until elections are held in 60 days, according to Palestinian law.
Farouk Kaddoumi, a top Palestinian hard-liner who has rejected past peacemaking with Israel, was named head of the mainstream Fatah movement to succeed Arafat, a Palestinian official told Reuters.
Officials said they wanted to ensure a smooth transition, despite concern both at home and abroad that a behind-the-scenes power struggle to assume the Arafat mantle could result in chaos and violence.
Israel quickly sealed the West Bank and Gaza Strip and increased security at Jewish settlements, fearing widespread Palestinian riots in the coming days.
“The Israeli Defense Forces are deploying to allow a dignified funeral ceremony for chairman Arafat,” an army statement said.
The military said it would restrict access to the funeral and burial, set for Friday in Ramallah, and only allow Palestinians with permits to attend. The military will allow processions in towns and refugee camps, officials said.
A military funeral was scheduled earlier Friday in Cairo, a location that allows Arab leaders to avoid travel to the West Bank, where Israel controls access.
Sharon: Death could be a 'historic turning point'
Israeli leader Ariel Sharon, without mentioning Arafat by name, said his death could provide an “historic turning point in the Middle East. Israel is a country that seeks peace and will continue its efforts to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians without delay.”
Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath called on Israel to resume implementation of the U.S.-backed “road map” peace plan, saying it was time Israel met its obligations.
“Now, the road is open, and we are telling the Israelis, welcome if you want to implement the road map, then implement it,” Shaath said. “It was the path of President Arafat, and we will go on the path of Arafat.”
President Bush issued a statement of condolence to the Palestinian people.
“We express our condolences to the Palestinian people. For the Palestinian people, we hope that the future will bring peace and the fulfillment of their aspirations for an independent, democratic Palestine that is at peace
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6402008/?GT1=5809
75-year-old, both revered and reviled, succumbs to unknown disease
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 3:54 a.m. ET Nov. 11, 2004RAMALLAH, West Bank - Yasser Arafat, the guerrilla leader turned Nobel Peace Prize winner who forced his people’s plight into the world spotlight, died Thursday at age 75 — still reviled by many as a terrorist.
Arafat died at 3:30 a.m. in a French military hospital. His last days were as murky and dramatic as his life. Arafat was flown to France on Oct. 29 after nearly three years of being penned in his West Bank headquarters by Israeli tanks.
He initially improved but then sharply deteriorated as rumors swirled about his illness. Neither doctors nor Palestinian leaders would say what killed Arafat.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians poured into the streets of the Gaza Strip in a spontaneous show of grief. Dozens of gunmen fired into the air, and marchers waved Palestinian flags.
Mosques blared Quranic verses and children burned tires on the main streets, covering the skies in black smoke. People pasted posters of Arafat on building walls.
Within hours, former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas was chosen to succeed Arafat as leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia was expected remain in charge of day-to-day governing.
Parliament Speaker Rauhi Fattouh was to be sworn in as Palestinian Authority president until elections are held in 60 days, according to Palestinian law.
Farouk Kaddoumi, a top Palestinian hard-liner who has rejected past peacemaking with Israel, was named head of the mainstream Fatah movement to succeed Arafat, a Palestinian official told Reuters.
Officials said they wanted to ensure a smooth transition, despite concern both at home and abroad that a behind-the-scenes power struggle to assume the Arafat mantle could result in chaos and violence.
Israel quickly sealed the West Bank and Gaza Strip and increased security at Jewish settlements, fearing widespread Palestinian riots in the coming days.
“The Israeli Defense Forces are deploying to allow a dignified funeral ceremony for chairman Arafat,” an army statement said.
The military said it would restrict access to the funeral and burial, set for Friday in Ramallah, and only allow Palestinians with permits to attend. The military will allow processions in towns and refugee camps, officials said.
A military funeral was scheduled earlier Friday in Cairo, a location that allows Arab leaders to avoid travel to the West Bank, where Israel controls access.
Sharon: Death could be a 'historic turning point'
Israeli leader Ariel Sharon, without mentioning Arafat by name, said his death could provide an “historic turning point in the Middle East. Israel is a country that seeks peace and will continue its efforts to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians without delay.”
Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath called on Israel to resume implementation of the U.S.-backed “road map” peace plan, saying it was time Israel met its obligations.
“Now, the road is open, and we are telling the Israelis, welcome if you want to implement the road map, then implement it,” Shaath said. “It was the path of President Arafat, and we will go on the path of Arafat.”
President Bush issued a statement of condolence to the Palestinian people.
“We express our condolences to the Palestinian people. For the Palestinian people, we hope that the future will bring peace and the fulfillment of their aspirations for an independent, democratic Palestine that is at peace
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6402008/?GT1=5809