World reacts to Arafat's death

2004-11-11 09:43

Paris - World leaders reacted to the death early on Thursday of veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat by accepting him as a symbol of his people's cause, but differed sharply over his contribution to the Middle East peace process.

They united, however, in calling for an end to the long-running and bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict via a lasting peace settlement that would include the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

United States President George W Bush, who had sought to marginalise Arafat, said his death was "a significant moment in Palestinian history," according to a White House statement.

Arafat, 75, died in a French military hospital close to Paris after being airlifted there from his Ramallah headquarters on October 29. He had been in a coma since the middle of last week.

A failed leader

While he is the first US president to formally endorse the creation of an independent Palestinian state, Bush had always made it clear that he regarded Arafat as a "failed" leader.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said Arafat had "symbolised... the national aspirations of the Palestinian people."

But Israeli Justice Minister Tommy Lapid, describing Arafat as a "founding father of terrorism," said it was "good that the world is rid of him ... The sun is shining in the Middle East."

French President Jacques Chirac, who was to pay a final homage on Thursday at the hospital where Arafat died, said: "With him disappears a man of courage and conviction who for 40 years incarnated the Palestinians' fight for recognition of their national rights."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the peace process was the "highest priority" for the international community.

Jordan decreed a 40-day mourning period at the royal court and three days nationwide as King Abdullah II expressed "deep sadness and pain."

In Moscow, a Kremlin spokesperson quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying that Arafat's death was "a heavy loss for the Palestinian leadership, (for) the whole Palestinian people."

Chinese President Hu Jintao called Arafat "a brilliant leader" and "a great friend" of China and urged Palestinians to continue efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.

A pioneer

Echoing Clinton's words, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said history would judge Arafat harshly for failing to embrace an Israeli peace offer four years ago.

South African President Thabo Mbeki expressed his "deepest regret" at the death of a "giant of the struggle of the poor and struggle of the oppressed," in the words of presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo.

Khumalo said Mbeki would attend Friday's funeral in Cairo.

India hailed Arafat as "an enduring symbol of Palestinian nationhood" while Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called him a "pioneer" of his cause. - AFP

 

   

 

- SAPA