NEWS: Arafat's Death Reported, Immediately Denied

Arafat has EEG, says source

DOCTORS treating Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat carried out an electroencephalogram (EEG) today, a French medical source said, describing it as "a sign of extreme gravity".

www.news.com.au...

www.news24.com...
Isreal TV: Arafat 'brain dead'....But we knew that anyway
Sorry, this isnt a time to joke i guess, if its his time, let him go in peace, praise be allah as muslims say.

Originally posted by phreak_of_nature
WTF?

Just heard a report ask the President during is press conference that he ahd heard that Arafat had just passed away, and what were the president's thoughts on that.

Bush said something like God rest is soul, then moved on.

Well, what was he supposed to day? Good riddance to that fleabag? Woulda helped out the peace process a whole bunch, that.

What I heard is that an aide walked up to Bush to inform him of Arafat's death during the conference. When you get a message that a political leader has just died on the spot, and with no other information to go on, the best thing to do is to say "Too bad" and move on with more pressing amtters.

THIS IS GREAT NEWS MAY HIS SOUL ROT IN HELL

[edit on 4-11-2004 by HAL2003]

Originally posted by Esoterica
Well, what was he supposed to day? Good riddance to that fleabag? Woulda helped out the peace process a whole bunch, that.

What I heard is that an aide walked up to Bush to inform him of Arafat's death during the conference. When you get a message that a political leader has just died on the spot, and with no other information to go on, the best thing to do is to say "Too bad" and move on with more pressing amtters.

I agree with this point. Until you have confirmation, you give the quick polite answer and move on. Later in the broadcast I am listening to, an announcer chimed in the CBS news has not confirmed the issue of Arafat's death. The rumors are a flying...

But I did find this from Haaretz Link to story

According to reports from Percy Military Hospital, Arafat is in critical condition, and his days are numbered. According to estimates, Arafat is suffering from either a growth in his intestines or stomach, or from blood poisoning.

A source quoted on French television said that Arafat is breathing with the help of a respirator and is not responding to medical treatment that is being administered. The source, a doctor in the hospital, claims that Arafat has no chance of coming out of the coma. The doctor, who asked to remain anonymous, said that in the past three years Arafat's health has been neglected, which led to its deterioration.

I've updated the intial thread with all the information that is known so far.

It is being reported that Yassar Arafat has died after slipping into a coma last night. The Prime Minister of Palenstine denies these claims. We will continue to update as information becomes available.

Confusion follows reports of Arafat 'death'

Hospital officials have challenged reports that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has died after falling critically ill last night.

French and Israeli television stations said the PLO chief is brain dead in the Paris hospital where he is being treated after being transferred from the West Bank to a Paris hospital earlier this week.

Arafat is being treated in intensive care after his admission to the military hospital.

Media reports suggested Arafat died shortly after 4.00pm - a claim that was challenged by a hospital spokesman within minutes of the claims being broadcast on the world's media.

"He is not dead," said a spokesman speaking outside the Paris hospital.

The development followed days of confusion about Arafat's condition in the West Bank and Gaza.

This one is all over the place this morning, I am sure the dust will settle in a few hours.

[edit on 11/4/04 by JacKatMtn]

Whao, thanks deeprivergal, for keeping the news coming.

I wonder what is going to happend in the middle east now, without him,

you know he did have lost of influences with the palestinian people. After reading his biography I kind of got to see the more human side of him.

I have a gloom feeling, and is not funny, my 14 year old dog was death this morning when I woke up my candidate lost and I am in a gloomy mourning mode.

The spokesman that stated Arafat is not dead is the Head of the Hospital, not just a mere spokesman.

Originally posted by QuietSoul
The spokesman that stated Arafat is not dead is the Head of the Hospital, not just a mere spokesman.

I'm getting a feeling this may be damage control, though. The more time you can put before declaring Arafat dead, the better. The Palestinians are not going to take this news lightly, and even a few hours time may be what is needed to get whatever assets (police, military) in place before a possible outbreak of violence.

Arafat 'is not dead': official

YASSER Arafat "is not dead," the top medical official for the the French defence forces said outside the military hospital in a Paris suburb treating the 75-year-old Palestinian leader.

"His clinical situation has become more complex," General Christian Estripeau told reporters.

edit:bold added
www.news.com.au...

Originally posted by Esoterica
I'm getting a feeling this may be damage control, though. The more time you can put before declaring Arafat dead, the better. The Palestinians are not going to take this news lightly, and even a few hours time may be what is needed to get whatever assets (police, military) in place before a possible outbreak of violence.

That is puzzling me as well,first reports of Arafat's death were French and Israeli, I would think the Israelis would want to let the Palestinians announce this and give themselves time to prepare for possible trouble during the aftermath. Why they would jump to make this announcment is what confuses me, a mistake on their part IMO.

I agree.. Arafat is probably a goner regardless.. so they may as well get things rolling ASAP and prepare themselves.

Israel reaffirms Arafat stance

November 5, 2004
ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today reaffirmed that he would block moves to bury Yasser Arafat in Jerusalem,

"As long as I am in power, and I have no intention of leaving, he (Arafat) will not be buried in Jerusalem,"public radio reported amid conflicting reports over whether the Palestinian leader had died. public radio quoted Mr Sharon as telling a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.

A team headed by Sharon's private secretary, Israel Maimon, has drawn up a report to explain the premier's refusal and why such a burial would be unpopular in the country as a whole.

edit:bold added
www.news.com.au...

From everything I am hearing and seeing, the man is clinically dead. He is being keep alive via machines. It will be a matter of time before they will have to pull the plug and let him go.

As far as securing the West Bank and Gaza, that is more something the PA will have to do. Israel can prepare their side of the line, but controlling crowds will be a Palestinian issue.

I wouldn't expect an immediate backlash against the Israelis. Give the conspiracy theorists over there some time. Let them greive first, then get angry and start throwing rocks.

Debka File is reporting the following:

Amid confusing statements over Palestinian leader�s condition, Palestinian PM Ahmed Qureia assumes some of his powers as Palestinian Authority chairman while Palestinian officials attempt to hammer out order of succession in Ramallah.

Activity sparked by Luxembourg prime minister�s announcement that Arafat had died Thursday evening. In Paris, Percy hospital issued a denial, stating his condition had deteriorated and he was under treatment in intensive care unit.

DEBKAfile�s sources report both statements true if Arafat is brain dead and kept alive on life support machines. Paris may be delaying final announcement for all-clear from Palestinian officials. Hence confusion.

The ticker at the top of the page is also reporting that the French Press announced Arafat's death a few minutes ago.
link

Though I can understand the motivation behind the rampant speculation surrounding Arafat's medical condition, the simple fact is that he's an ailing, 75 year old man. Though he may not have died today, or may not die tomorrow, I'd be surprised if he gets to see any of 2005. A new era is to begin in Palestine and as far as I'm concerned that's waaaay more interesting to talk about than whether he had to crap in a cup for medical testing yesterday.

I have an inside source that claims that Arafat is indeed dead, that he is on a ventilator until they can move him back to Palestine where they plan on disconnecting him.

Maybe he should be buried in the Dead sea. Pushed off in a wheelchair.

Epitaph: "never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity"

I just heard the PA officials in Paris have asked hospital officals to wait 72 hours before announcing his death. This will give them the time they need to establish a plan of succession.

So he may have already passed, and they are waiting.