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Arafat's departure brings uncertainty
In the early hours of October 28, as dozens of journalists, mid-rung political officials and curious onlookers milled around outside President Arafat's Ramallah compound speculating on the health of their leader, one Palestinian reporter evoked critical minutes in the shaping of early Islam. Cynically, he recalled how the Prophet Mohammed's followers disputed the succession only hours after he lay dead.
It was an acknowledgement of the moment's import (some believed the president had already passed away) and impending uncertainty. One day later, a frail Arafat was airlifted out of Ramallah, away from the offices in which he had been ensconced for nearly three years under threat of expulsion, and flown to a Paris hospital to determine exactly what caused his collapse.
It was an acknowledgement of the moment's import (some believed the president had already passed away) and impending uncertainty. One day later, a frail Arafat was airlifted out of Ramallah, away from the offices in which he had been ensconced for nearly three years under threat of expulsion, and flown to a Paris hospital to determine exactly what caused his collapse.
Reportedly, the president was sipping soup with his top advisors when he vomited and then slipped into unconsciousness on November 27. Doctors in Paris have ruled out leukemia, but a battery of tests has yet to come back conclusive as to the cause of his ailment. Israel has promised that Arafat will be allowed to return to Ramallah once his treatment is finished. Still, statements by Israeli officials reflect their assessment that Arafat has departed the political scene for good.
For Palestinians, the implications of Arafat's absence are not so clear. At the most grassroots level, no one is currently signing the endless requests for monetary intervention by impoverished faction loyalists that fill the president's desk and which he alone can approve. While Palestine Liberation Organization number two Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qrei', and Legislative Council Speaker Rawhi Fattouh have all called meetings of their respective leadership bodies to maintain the appearance of order, no substantive decisions were made at those meetings.
Officials have gone out of their way to avoid the appearance of a coup after media reports at the height of Arafat's illness said he had approved a triad of Abbas, Qrei' and Fattouh to govern in his place. Arafat heard this and dispatched Azzam Al Ahmed to publicly refute the news. Until the French doctors pass their verdict, most of the top leadership is carefully maintaining the status quo. Symbolically, Arafat's chair has remained empty at meetings.
Were Arafat to die, Palestinian law provides that the Speaker of the Legislative Council take the reigns of power for 60 days until elections can be held. The difficulty of holding elections, the relative obscurity of the current Legislative Council speaker, as well as concerns that the strained political system cannot support such an interim period have all inspired speculation that other arrangements may be initiated. Vouching for ongoing PLO prominence as the heart of Palestinian leadership, most observers believe that Abbas would eventually take the reigns.
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http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3287.shtml
For Palestinians, the implications of Arafat's absence are not so clear. At the most grassroots level, no one is currently signing the endless requests for monetary intervention by impoverished faction loyalists that fill the president's desk and which he alone can approve. While Palestine Liberation Organization number two Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qrei', and Legislative Council Speaker Rawhi Fattouh have all called meetings of their respective leadership bodies to maintain the appearance of order, no substantive decisions were made at those meetings.
Officials have gone out of their way to avoid the appearance of a coup after media reports at the height of Arafat's illness said he had approved a triad of Abbas, Qrei' and Fattouh to govern in his place. Arafat heard this and dispatched Azzam Al Ahmed to publicly refute the news. Until the French doctors pass their verdict, most of the top leadership is carefully maintaining the status quo. Symbolically, Arafat's chair has remained empty at meetings.
Were Arafat to die, Palestinian law provides that the Speaker of the Legislative Council take the reigns of power for 60 days until elections can be held. The difficulty of holding elections, the relative obscurity of the current Legislative Council speaker, as well as concerns that the strained political system cannot support such an interim period have all inspired speculation that other arrangements may be initiated. Vouching for ongoing PLO prominence as the heart of Palestinian leadership, most observers believe that Abbas would eventually take the reigns.
Read More
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3287.shtml
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Ship his carcass to Purina!
Fri, Nov 5, 2004 2:25AM
Mystery surrounds what ails Arafat
Thu, Nov 4, 2004 4:53PM
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