Colonel Arafat is now recovering from the complex operation to remove his uniform.
He had been wearing it for over the last 50 years and apparently it had integrated with his tissue. :D
Seriously though, What does life after Arafat mean for the region?
Will there be a vicious power struggle? With half a dozen candidates in line to take Arafats place then this could be a distinct possibility.
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-13244836,00.html
Ned Ludd
03-11-2004, 08:52
Arafat as the ultimate autocrat has no logical successor in the Fatah movement so it seems likely that there will be a power struggle unless the leadership adopt a collective and more democratic structure. Given that Blair can't do that in the UK it doesn't bode well for the Palestinians who have no democratic tradition.
I expect the death of the Palestinians' father figure will see a massive surge of support for armed groups who are seen to be resisting the occupation of their lands.
Israel and the US clearly have the view that without Arafat they will be dealing with a pliable leadership who will accept what little crumbs are thrown in their direction... I think the opposite scenario is more likely
evildrneil
03-11-2004, 10:04
Possibly worst case scenario but:
Arrafat dies (from whatever the Israelis have been putting in the water?)...
Massive power struggle ensues...
Huge upsurge in violence both inside Pallesteine and towards Israel...
Israel steps in 'to keep the peace'...
The middle east, already edgy because of the states wading in with their collective size tens and knowing the Israel is the US's main stooge out there reacts...
Violence spreads to the whole middle east...
US steps in to protect it's oil concerns - ermmmm sorry to 'keep the peace'...
The middle east falls apart and terrorist acts against the US and their stooges both within confines of the middle east and across the world become the norm...