Vyce 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Arafat's Illness TIME Exclusive: A source inside the compound says that Arafat is believed to be suffering from stomach cancer By TONY KARON Yasser Arafat's gaunt, fragile appearance during last weekend's inauguration of an emergency cabinet for the Palestinian Authority has raised a flurry of speculation over the state of the 74-year-old leader's health. Palestinian officials on Wednesday denied rumors that Arafat had last week suffered a mild heart attack and explained that Arafat has been suffering from a bad case of the flu or an intestinal infection. But according to a source inside the compound, the recent working diagnosis is that Arafat is suffering from stomach cancer. Al-Jazeera TV reported Wednesday that two teams of doctors, one from Jordan and the other from Egypt, arrived in Ramallah Wednesday to treat Arafat. Abu Dhabi TV reported on Thursday that following their examination of the Palestinian leader, the Egyptian doctors "expressed concern" about the state of his health. Neither report specified his condition. The prognosis for stomach cancer patients depends on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed and treated, and the size and location of the tumor. Whatever the state of the cancer, however, such a diagnosis poses a major challenge to both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which could require some nimble refereeing by the Bush administration. The most immediate crisis would involve the need to treat Arafat's condition. The Ramallah compound in which Arafat has been holed up for the best part of two years is hardly the most conducive environment for invasive surgery. It would, in theory, be possible to erect a surgical suite at the compound, but hospitalization would certainly be preferable from a medical standpoint. Israel has until now insisted that if Arafat leaves his compound, he'd be on a one-way ticket out of the West Bank. And each new terror attack brings renewed public and political pressure on Sharon to make good on his cabinet's in-principle decision to expel the Palestinian leader. But Arafat has vowed to go down fighting against any attempt to remove him from the compound, and the Bush administration has restrained Israel from carrying out the threatened expulsion, on the grounds that such a move would be "unhelpful" to the pursuit of stability. The Palestinian leader's new condition, however, could raise uncomfortable choices for Israel, the Palestinians and the Bush administration. If Arafat's condition proves to be terminal, the Palestinians will be forced to answer the long-deferred question of succession, and the running debate in Washington and Jerusalem over the prospects for pursuing a peace agreement without the aging Arafat will have been settled. The question of Arafat's succession is complicated by the fact that his power derives from the three separate offices he holds: Palestinian Authority president, PLO chairman and leader of the Fatah movement. The PA constitution requires that if the president is incapacitated, his post would be temporarily filled by the Speaker of the Palestinian legislature. However, the Speaker's position is currently vacant, following Ahmed Qureia's resignation from it in order to become prime minister. Following Thursday’s meeting of the Palestinian legislature at which Arafat’s appointment of an emergency cabinet was rebuffed, Qureia reportedly signaled Arafat that he no longer wants the position. Rather than a simple transfer of the mantle of power from one uncontested national leader to another, Arafat's passing would likely open a protracted period of power struggles and realignments in Palestinian politics — and it appears unlikely that all three of his positions would be filled by a single successor. The immediate implications for any peace process will be uncertain, although the Israelis and the Bush administration have long insisted that breaking Arafat's grip on the Palestinian national movement is a prerequisite for progress. TIME Exclusive: A source inside the compound says that Arafat is believed to be suffering from stomach cancer With our luck, they'll find a cure for cancer tomorrow. Hmm, how long before the Palestinians / Muslim world find a way to blame this upon the Jews? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Well, he's already 74. It was bound to happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JangoFett4Hire 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Yeah that would totally blow if the found a cure for cancer, I hope they never do! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 I don't know, Bin Laden's supposed to have luekemia (sp?) and he's still hiding somewhere in Pakistan so I wouldn't hope on cancer doing in someone like Arafat. Terrorists are like cockroaches, you just can't get rid of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 If this is indeed true, Mr. Castro you're next: When you wish upon the Cancer Fairy It doesn't matter if you're bald or hairy As long as the person you wish to die Suffers pain-ful-ly... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 When Castro goes, the power of Cuban exile self interests and the politicians they elect go with them. Same as if Cuba becomes a democracy and can no longer be hyped as a 'threat' to the US. Seriously, if any President considered Castro or Cuba a thread, it'd be an American colony by now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Who's the wuss who prayed for only stomach cancer?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Justice 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 Who's the wuss who prayed for only stomach cancer?? Indeed. Testicular would be so much more fitting and painful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 When Castro goes, the power of Cuban exile self interests and the politicians they elect go with them. Same as if Cuba becomes a democracy and can no longer be hyped as a 'threat' to the US. Seriously, if any President considered Castro or Cuba a thread, it'd be an American colony by now. Oooook. Still want him to get cancer. Perhaps a Kosher diet would have prevented this most unfortunate alleged aliment from the former Nobel Peace Prize winner... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firestarter 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 With our luck, they'll find a cure for cancer tomorrow. That was fucking hilarious, and oh so true. Earlier today, I found I'd almost chainsmoked my way through a full pack less than an hour after I first read this, out of pure nervousness that he WOULDN'T die yet again. That insufferable piece of shit seems to have a billion lives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2003 With our luck, they'll find a cure for cancer tomorrow. Hopefully the person that finds it will be Jewish and Arafat will refuse to get treatment because he'll think it's some sort of poison... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted October 11, 2003 With our luck, they'll find a cure for cancer tomorrow. That was fucking hilarious, and oh so true. Earlier today, I found I'd almost chainsmoked my way through a full pack less than an hour after I first read this, out of pure nervousness that he WOULDN'T die yet again. That insufferable piece of shit seems to have a billion lives. Is he the Arab Strom? -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jay Z. Hollywood Report post Posted October 11, 2003 Who's the wuss who prayed for only stomach cancer?? Indeed. Testicular would be so much more fitting and painful. Yeah, but testicular cancer has a 98% cure rate if caught in the early stages. Stomach cancer has a much lower one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Thread Killer 0 Report post Posted October 11, 2003 You people are all terrible for wishing death on another human being! Okay, not really. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted October 11, 2003 No we're not. We're wishing it on Arafat... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted October 11, 2003 What a shame. I wanted the Jews to blow him up. I guess this could be better though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jpclemmons Report post Posted October 22, 2003 I hope the Cancer is incurable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheZsaszHorsemen Report post Posted October 22, 2003 But... wouldn't you rather have a cure for cancer now anyway... even if it meant Arafat surviving? The benefits outweigh the negatives here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted October 22, 2003 Who's the wuss who prayed for only stomach cancer?? Indeed. Testicular would be so much more fitting and painful. You need a set in order to get that though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
