Thread: Sounds like Arafat just kicked the bucket!

PARIS - A hospital official in France on Thursday denied reports that Yasser Arafat had died as the result of an undisclosed illness.

As has been the case since he was hospitalized last Friday, reports about the 75-year-old Arafat's condition differed sharply.

A report on Israel's Channel Two quoted Israeli security officials as saying they had been told by a reliable French source that Arafat had died. Monte Carlo radio also reported that Arafat was "clinically dead" and Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said in Belgium that he had been informed of Arafat's death, though his office later said his comment was the result of a "misunderstanding."

The reports prompted a spokesman for the Percy Military Training Hospital outside Paris to issue a denial.

‘His condition became more complicated’
"Mr. Arafat is not dead," Christian Estripeau said, adding that the Palestinian was transferred to intensive care Wednesday afternoon and was "receiving appropiate treatment."

He did not elaborate on the nature of Arafat's illness, saying only that "his condition became more complicated."

Earlier, Thursday, numerous Palestinian sources indicated that Arafat’s heath was deteriorating, saying that he had lapsed into a coma and was in “very, very grave” condition.

But aides to Arafat insisted he remained conscious and said that he had made comments from his hospital bed congratulating President Bush on his re-election victory and expressing determination to revive the so-called “road map” — the stalled peace plan between Palestinians and Israelis that Bush supports.

Military officials in Israel were said to be monitoring the situation closely, and anxious Palestinian leaders held an emergency meeting in the West Bank. Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said top officials were in touch with Arafat's hospital every 30 minutes to check on his condition.

Palestinian leaders ‘in constant meeting’

"The Palestinian leadership is in constant meeting to follow up on the president's health," Shaath said from Ramallah, where leaders of the PLO and Arafat's Fatah movement were meeting.

There is concern in Israel about the potential for chaos in the West Bank and Gaza Strip if Arafat dies or is incapacitated to the point where he is unable to perform politically. The Israeli army has a plan, called "new leaf," to deal with the fallout from Arafat's death, including possible Palestinian riots.


It is likewise unclear what impact Arafat's death could have on efforts to forge a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel and the United States have in recent years shunned Arafat as a terrorist and an obstacle to peace, and his replacement by a new leadership could open the door to renewed peace talks

President Bush, asked at a news conference Thursday for his reaction to the reports of Arafat's death, replied, "God bless his soul."

He also said he will continue to work "for a free Palestinian state that's at peace with Israel."

Several Palestinian officials told NBC News and the Associated Press that Arafat's still-unexplained condition had seriously deteriorated late Wednesday, and that he was rushed to the hospital's intensive care unit.

One source, described as a confidant of the Palestinian leadership, said Arafat's condition was "very, very grave."

In Israel, the media, citing Israeli intelligence and Palestinian officials, said Arafat suffered organ failure and that he had lost consciousness several times. The Maariv daily said Arafat’s condition was “very critical.”

Reports called ‘unfounded’

As has been the case since Arafat was flown to France for treatment, however, his aides continued to paint the reports that he was dying as "unfounded."

On Wednesday, Leila Shahid, the Palestinian envoy to France who has been serving as Arafat’s official spokeswoman in Paris, said Arafat felt well enough to ask about the U.S. presidential election. An aide later issued a statement in Arafat’s name congratulating President Bush on his re-election.

One aide, Mohammed Rashid, said Thursday that Arafat commented on Bush's re-election and said he hoped the U.S. administration will be “more engaged” in reviving the "road map" peace plan.

Arafat “declares the readiness of the Palestinian leadership to cooperate and work with (Bush) to resume political efforts to bring about peace and the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the president’s vision” in the road map, said Rashid, who is Arafat’s financial adviser.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat described Arafat’s condition as “stable and serious” and said that the most recent blood tests and CT scans conducted Wednesday night and Thursday morning were encouraging.

Doctors still don’t know the cause of the blood and digestive disorders uncovered over the past few days, the sources said, adding that Arafat was undergoing additional tests.

Israel prepares
Top Israeli security officials met Thursday to discuss possible repercussions in the Middle East should Arafat die, said Israeli officials speaking to AP on condition of anonymity.

Attending the meeting are Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Army Chief Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon, the officials said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Israel is tracking Arafat’s health “very carefully."

“Our goal is to prepare for the day after, if and when he dies,” he told Israel Radio.

Israeli intelligence was widely criticized after it was caught off guard last week by the sudden deterioration in Arafat’s health.

Shalom said his condition “is very serious,” but gave no details. At the same time, he said, “it is too soon to eulogize Yasser Arafat.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report