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| Sunday, 14 November 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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World acknowledges Arafat's heroism, commitment by M. P. Muttiah The world has lost one of its senior leaders who fought for the freedom of oppressed people. Yasser Arafat, who escaped nearly 40 attempts on his life, failed to conquer death. He also failed to attain martyrdom that he eagerly expected. Arafat gave a State for Palestinian diaspora to be proud of possessing a land. He was the embodiment of Palestinian's plight, their dispersal and their statelessness, their eagerness to return to a homeland of their ancestors, lost to Israel since the establishment of Jewish state. As the former South African President Nelson Mandela said in his message of condolence, "Arafat's death had robbed the world of one of the outstanding freedom fighters of the generation. He was an icon in the proper sense of the word. He was not only concerned with the liberation of the Arab peoples, but of all the oppressed people throughout the world, Arabs and non-Arabs." Clandestine activities Arafat, an engineer, plunged himself into clandestine Palestinian nationalist activities. In October, 1959, he and four other Palestinians founded Al-Fatah, 'the conquest', which later became the core of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), which was founded in 1964. As former US President Bill Clinton said, "however others received him, the Palestinians saw him as the father of their nation". Another former US President Jimmy Carter called Arafat "the father of modern Palestinian nationalist movement, and a powerful human symbol and forceful advocate. Since inception, Arafat intended to build a revolutionary organisation with three hallmarks-unity, independence and relevance, which he forged ahead until his last breath. He knew well all these hallmarks were essential to prevent Arab states from exploiting the Palestinian cause for their selfish ends. In 1968, Israeli army attacked Karamenh, the Jordanian town, where Al Fatah had its headquarters. Arafat ordered his commandos not to retreat. Arafat said it was the first victory of Arabs against the state of Israel. Symbol of Palestinians He became the symbol of Palestinians, when he united several liberation organisations to forge the PLO. He became the Chairman of the Executive Committee and Commander in Chief of the PLO in 1969. PLO accepted Al Fatah's goals, "creating a democratic society in Palestine where Muslims, Christians and jews would live together in complete equality". As Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in his message, Arafat was the pioneer who laid the foundation for the establishment of a Palestinian State." Yasser Arafat, said in 1974: "The end of Israel is the goal of our struggle, and it allows for neither compromise nor mediation." Arafat believed in a peaceful solution to the Palestinian conflict. Speaking at the UN General Assembly he said: "I have come bearing an olive branch and a freedom fighter's gun. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hands." But Arafat changed his tactics. He said in 1980: "I am with a current of history and those with a current of history will win, and those who are against it will vanish." He accepted the reality. He said: "We accept the right of all parties concerned with the Middle East conflict to exist in peace and security, including the State of Palestine, Israel and other neighbours in accordance with the UN resolution. We totally and categorically reject all forms of terrorism." With this in mind, Arafat endorsed the Arab-Israeli Madrid talks in 1991. In early 1992, secret contacts between the representatives of the PLO and Israel began. The Oslo Peace Accord of 1993, opened a new chapter in the lives of Palestinians. As former US President Carter put it, "he provided an indispensable leadership to a revolutionary movement and was instrumental in forging a peace agreement." Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres praised Arafat in his message: He said: "I believe Arafat has shown courage and also by compromising on a road map that could have served as it does, as a basis for peace." British Prime Minister John Blair said that Arafat led his people to a historic acceptance and the need for a two-state solution. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his tribute said: 'The people of India admire deeply his heroism and commitment to the cause of his people in their quest for a homeland and a state." Charismatic leader Now, the charismatic leader, who was under virtual seige of Israeli forces for more than 18 months, is no more. Now, the world leaders want the Palestinian people to continue the path chartered by Arafat. French President Jacques Chirac said the road map approved by Yasser Arafat opened up the prospects. The international community must use of all its weight to put it into effect. UN Secretary-General Koffi Annan said: "Now that he has gone, both Israelis and Palestinians and the friends of both peoples throughout the world must make even greater efforts to bring about a peaceful realisation of the Palestinian right of self-determination.: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in a statement said:" Arafat died knowing that international community had committed itself to a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure state of Israel. The UK will continue to do all it can to strive for that outcome." Chinese leader Hu Jintao epitomised the minds of Palestinian people. "Arafat devoted his life to the righteous undertaking of fighting for the resumption of the legal and ethnic rights and interests of the Palestinian people, and enjoying great prestige in the international community. I believe the Palestinian government and people will inherit Arafat's unfinished undertaking and continue to promote the Middle East peace process." |
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