[Mb-civic] Illness Sends Arafat To France

[Cheeseburger]

Illness Sends Arafat To France

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-palestinians-arafat,0,5812586.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines


October 29, 2004, 2:55 PM EDT

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- "Palestinians expressed sorrow and anxiety at the 
thought of a future without Yasser Arafat, wondering if his absence from 
the Palestinian territories would bring a bloody power struggle, a rise of 
militancy or peace talks with Israel."

"Arafat never groomed a successor, and there is simply no one of his 
stature to replace him."

"But if Arafat dies or is absent for a long time, the simmering rivalries 
that characterize today's Palestinian politics will almost certainly erupt 
into full-blown battles."

"The result could be the emergence of younger leaders more amenable to 
reform, continued control by Arafat's old guard or an opening for militants 
from groups such as Hamas or Islamic Jihad."




Cheeseburger

- Where has the sparrow gone now that I need its song.