A separate report by the New York Times also released today claims Arafat's medical records indicated the late PLO leader died of a stroke. The report, which says it is the first independent review of Arafat's medical records ... an omission experts found bizarre.
Quotes about arafats (13 Quotes)
I'm not going to try to determine what steps the Israelis may or may not take or how they should take it. What we want to see is action to end the terrorism. We've called for that. Chairman Arafat's made statements. He needs to follow through on those statements. He can do more.
The initiative is there, but we cannot talk about it now while the tanks and troops are seven meters from President Arafat's room, ... If this is the Israeli response to our initiative, then it is for you and the world to know who is on the side of peace, and who is on the side of aggression.
Neither the Palestinian, nor the French report, arrived to conclusive results regarding the causes of Arafat's illness and death ... The reports did not prove that Arafat was poisoned, but they do not void the possibility that Arafat was poisoned by an unknown kind poison.
The file will remain open ... Maybe the doctors might be able to find out the reason for Arafat's death.
Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled. In fact, some saw the harsh and repressive nature of Arafat's regime as actually bolstering the prospects for peace.
I understand that this is a battle for power, but I am convinced that if Netanyahu is elected, he will be as he was before previous elections, ... He was in favor of the Oslo Accords, and he shook Arafat's hand.
Israel was not in any way involved in what happened with Arafat. The Palestinians know this, the Arabs know this, Arafat's family knows this, ... This matter is inflammatory ... and I think it is important that this be taken off the agenda immediately.
One should judge the deeds and not the declarations. We have to wait and see if the new Cabinet will, in fact, be sworn in and how it will act, taking into account Arafat's staunch resistance to it and his capacity to undermine any process of reform.
It calls into question the seriousness of Arafat's intentions to implement ... understandings and decrease violence in the region,
This is not Arafat's business, ... We are citizens of the state of Israel.
Neither the French medical reports, nor the Palestinian reports managed to come to the exact reasons that led to Arafat's death,
Arafat's departure has created an awesome opportunity.