By Clark Goldband
Nobody asked me but I believe whether or not Yasser Arafat is dead, it’s important to remember that no one lives for ever. Key transitional issues must be discussed.
Arafat was born in 1929 and always enjoyed good health. A June 2003 psychological profile contends that he doesn’t smoke, refrains from drinking alcohol, and has always watched his weight. The chairman was involved in an airplane accident in 1992 over the Libyan dessert.
Around this time Arafat underwent surgery for a head injury to drain blood clots, (most likely related to the plane crash). A trembling of the lower lip surfaced in the mid-90s prompting American experts to believe that he may have early stages of Parkinson’s disease. There’s also no denying that it has become increasingly difficult for Arafat to speak without notes for extended periods of time. Even at age 74 Arafat has refused any notion of stepping down, or reducing his power. Arafat’s plan for transition of power has been kept purposely ambiguous to thwart possible takeover attempts.
Sources familiar to the situation speaking on the condition of anonymity have told me that Israel and the PLO are jointly concerned about three issues.
Arafat has expressed wishes that he wants to be buried on the temple mount. Israeli government officials will not allow this to happen. When raising the question one Israeli official replied
“If Rabin wanted to be buried there we would not even allow that, this is never going to happen.”
A more impassioned discussion for funeral arrangements is taking place not between Israel and the PLO, but between the PLO and other Arab nations. Israel will most likely forbid any senior Iranian or Syrian leaders entry into the nation. Therefore many Arab leaders have been pressuring the PLO to hold services in Paris. It appears lately the French government is more then willing to bend over backwards to prove its hospitality and allegiance to Muslim nations around the world.
Secondly conservative estimates point at over 2 billion dollars earmarked for the Palestinian people-missing. Arafat, confident that his health would improve, failed to leave instructions on how to access this money. A smooth transition of power is not able to take place until the location of this capital is sorted out by the Palestinians.
Lastly there is no solid transitional plan in place for an interim or new Palestinian leader. PLO leader Mahmud Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, and Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath all believe they will be the next leader of the PLO. In theory, a new election a PLO leader would take place 60 days after Chairman Arafat’s death. However many in the Israeli and PLO governments are afraid of civil war and violent attempts to gain control of the PLO, that would likely take place during this interim period.
Privately, Israeli and Palestinian officials are looking forward to the day when a new, liberalized leader will take control of the Palestinian people. Arafat has been the sole decision maker on all issues related to the Palestinian cause for far too long. Even the best leaders of the world (which he is not) need checks and balances to ensure healthy leadership.
The future of the Middle East Crisis is before the world. The decisions made in the next few weeks will either change the course of history, or continue more bloody bodies strewn across the street. n