 Six Tunisian doctors arrived in Ramallah Saturday night amid growing concern for the health of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. On Friday night, Arafat's aides summoned the Tunisian representative to Ramallah and requested that the Tunisian government urgently send a medical team to examine Arafat. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom approved the Tunisian government's request to send the medical team to Ramallah. According to the officials, Arafat is in "good health" and was even continuing to observe Ramadan by fasting from dawn to dusk, contrary to his doctor's advice. Hani al-Hassan, a top Fatah leader closely associated with Arafat, dismissed reports that Arafat was seriously ill as "Israeli propaganda." | "Zionist lies, all zionist lies!" |
The news about Arafat's failing health coincides with reports about a new crisis between him and PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, who is again threatening to resign. Palestinian sources said Qurei was frustrated with Arafat because of the latter's refusal to relinquish some of his authority. According to the sources, Qurei is planning to quit after the US elections and may be replaced with Foreign Minister Nabil Sha'ath. Qurei is also facing growing opposition in the Palestinian Legislative Council, which is planning a no-confidence vote against his cabinet next week.| Are those shark fins I see circling in the distance? |
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