Many Palestinians fear Arafat was poisoned

[Tab]

JERUSALEM -- What -- or who -- killed Yasser Arafat?

The rapid decline of the 75-year-old Palestinian leader's health, the refusal of his wife and authorities at the French military hospital where he died last Thursday to release his medical records, and Israel's threat a year ago to "remove" him have spawned a cottage industry of speculation among Palestinians. Unwilling to accept the official word that Arafat died of natural causes, many seem to favor the explanation that Israel poisoned him, with help from an Arafat aide -- a charge Israelis deny and others have discounted.

The French government, constrained by privacy laws, stridently sought to quash rumors that Arafat was poisoned, without explicitly denying it. "If the doctors had had the slightest doubt, they would have referred it to the police," said government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope.

Nonetheless, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei ordered an inquiry yesterday to determine the cause of death.

The suspicion that Arafat was murdered is being fomented not by just a few conspiracy theorists but by many Palestinians, including some of Arafat's top aides. His Jordanian doctor has called for an autopsy, citing possible poisoning.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2004/11/18/many_palestinians_suspicious_that_arafat_was_poisoned/?rss_id=Boston%20Globe%20--%20World%20News

[grumpy old fart]

1. Fear?

The fool was 75 years old, lived in two rooms, and hasn't done squat for his people in decades. What's to fear? Killed or natural demise, They should be happy that a major roadblock to a Palestinian State is gone.

[wug37]

2. He was old too.

People who are 75 do have a tendency to die. Especially in a region that does not have as advanced medical care as places like the US.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chimpymustgo]

4. Those are the vilest thoughts. Rethug thoughts that dont belong here.

Shame on you.

[leftynyc]

6. Plenty of people who are not republicans

agree that other than bringing the plight of his people to the world's attention - Arafat did nothing for them. Until the last two years, he lived extremely well while his supporters lived in poverty. His wife lives in luxury in Paris while her husband sent off children to blow themselves up. Now Suha will be getting $22 million a year. Where exactly did that money come from? Personally, I'm not sorry he's dead and I'm a bleeding heart liberal.

[JudyM]

7. that money came from aid from other countries, including arab countries

who paid him to stay out of theirs, because they were nothing but trouble.

[leftynyc]

11. Pretty hard to think highly of someone who

uses aid from other countries to enrich himself and his wife while "his people" live in poverty and with no hope.

[JudyM]

13. Exactly. Kept them hating the Israelis, feeling 'oppressed'

[Canadian_moderate]

10. For what?

Telling it like it is? Arafat was a terrorist and an obstacle to peace. The Palestinians will be better off with him gone. Let's hope they choose a moderate leader. I think Mahmoud Abbas will be a much more effective diplomat.

[TO Kid]

5. Hardly surprising

Given what they're teaching children in that part of the world, if an imam claimed that the Mossad drained his blood and drank it they'd believe it.

[Florida_Geek]

8. I would not be surprised if he was poisoned

the only question is who did it.

[grumpy old fart]

12. No, the question is...So what? n/t

[Gyre]

9. They're worried about how Arafat died

when the chimp and sharon are figuring out how to make soylent green out of them to feed them to the settlers. Smart!

Gyre