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| Sunday, 14 November 2004 |
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Features |  |
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Yasser Arafat - epitome of a Palestinian by Tourism, Industry & Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranaike History has had many icons. Palestine had only one, and that was Yasser Arafat. Yasser Arafat was the epitome of a Palestinian and came to symbolize the tragedy of his people, their hopes, aspirations, their grit and determination.
This unique personality, through a lifetime of war and peace, conflict and revolution, fought side by side with his people for Statehood. While this mysterious figure of a freedom fighter, finally addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations, he received a standing ovation after standing ovation, recognizing him as the very symbol of all triumphs and tragedy, that was in Palestine. Branded as a terrorist, by the very same people who had practiced worse forms of terrorism, Arafat was misunderstood by an organized media campaign by partisan Jews, who were determined to destroy him, his credibility and image. Despite this, it grew into huge proportions and installed a world figure, revered and loved by the Palestinians and the rest of the world. Of course, Arafat made mistakes like any international leader would. But, he made every attempt, at a justifiable and dignified peace for his people, and fought for it relentlessly, throughout his life. Yasser Arafat's legacy will be riddled with controversy and contradiction but none can deny, that he fought sincerely and bravely for a people without a nation, all his life. For this alone, Arafat will always be remembered. As the President of the Sri Lanka PLO Friendship Association, whose Secretary was Prime Minister, Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, in those years, I have had the privilege and joy of several meetings with this simple, gentle giant, in the company of my Mother, when she was in and out of office. The respected affection Yasser Arafat had for Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike, was quite astonishing, which he displayed with great affection and charm. The world and Palestine is much poorer today for the loss of Yasser Arafat. The symbol is gone, the cause remains. As long as the problem of Palestine remains unsolved, it will be a sore on the conscience of mankind. Those who refused his remains to be buried in Jerusalem, still display their pettiness, jealousy and intransigence, which will continue to contribute to the continuing hatred between the Jews and the Palestinians. The death of Yasser Arafat signifies not the end of a struggle for Palestine nationhood; it is only a new beginning which can be achieved peacefully, through negotiation, if wiser council prevails and provocative acts are stopped. I congratulate the new leadership of the PLO and may they learn from the wisdom of the man, who spent his entire life for a home for his suffering people, with justice and in peace. This will be the greatest tribute to the legacy of this icon of the history of Palestine. |
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