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10-24-2004, 03:28 AM
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1098520962519
Emergency team of doctors arrive to attend Arafat
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
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Six Tunisian doctors arrived in Ramallah Saturday night amid growing concern for the health of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.
The 75-year-old Arafat has been reported unwell for more than a week, supposedly with a severe flu. But the dramatic request to Israel to grant permission for a medical examination by the Tunisian specialists has heightened speculation about the severity of his illness.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom approved the Tunisian government's request to send the medical team to Ramallah.
Over the past few days Arafat has been forced to cut short a number of meetings after complaining of exhaustion, shivering and general weakness.
On Friday night, Arafat's aides summoned the Tunisian representative to Ramallah, Ahmed al-Habasi, and requested that the Tunisian government urgently send a medical team to examine Arafat.
Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who approved the request, later phoned Arafat to inquire about his health. The medical team includes six doctors, among them an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Habasi said the doctors will perform a precautionary exam on Arafat. "The president is in good health. He is suffering from a cold," he said. "There is nothing to worry about."
The decision to summon the specialists came shortly after Arafat was unable to complete Friday prayers at a small mosque inside his compound.
Top PA officials in Ramallah refused to elaborate on Arafat's health condition, insisting that he was only suffering from a "bad flu."
According to the officials, Arafat is in "good health" and was even continuing to observe Ramadan by fasting from dawn to dusk, contrary to his doctor's advice.
Hani al-Hassan, a top Fatah leader closely associated with Arafat, dismissed reports that Arafat was seriously ill as "Israeli propaganda."
"The Israelis are always searching for a funeral to attend," he remarked. "The reports according to which Arafat needs surgery are rumors spread by Israel."
However, some officials in Arafat's compound told The Jerusalem Post that the PA chairman needs to be hospitalized as soon as possible. "He works 18 hours a day, and that's too much for a 75-year-old man," one official said. "It looks like he needs to spend a few days in hospital."
A senior Fatah leader who met Arafat over the weekend expressed concern over the PA chairman's health. "The man is very tired," he said. "The problem is that he's refusing to rest."
Last week, a team of Egyptian doctors examined Arafat after he suffered from fever, nausea and a stuffy nose. The team was dispatched to Ramallah by President Hosni Mubarak at the request of senior PA officials.
Arafat's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said the results of the tests performed by the Egyptian doctors showed that the PA chairman is well. He said the Tunisian specialists will conduct "routine" checkups of Arafat.
The news about Arafat's failing health coincides with reports about a new crisis between him and PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, who is again threatening to resign. Palestinian sources said Qurei was frustrated with Arafat because of the latter's refusal to relinquish some of his authority. According to the sources, Qurei is planning to quit after the US elections and may be replaced with Foreign Minister Nabil Sha'ath. Qurei is also facing growing opposition in the Palestinian Legislative Council, which is planning a no-confidence vote against his cabinet next week.
Emergency team of doctors arrive to attend Arafat
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Advertisement
Six Tunisian doctors arrived in Ramallah Saturday night amid growing concern for the health of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.
The 75-year-old Arafat has been reported unwell for more than a week, supposedly with a severe flu. But the dramatic request to Israel to grant permission for a medical examination by the Tunisian specialists has heightened speculation about the severity of his illness.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom approved the Tunisian government's request to send the medical team to Ramallah.
Over the past few days Arafat has been forced to cut short a number of meetings after complaining of exhaustion, shivering and general weakness.
On Friday night, Arafat's aides summoned the Tunisian representative to Ramallah, Ahmed al-Habasi, and requested that the Tunisian government urgently send a medical team to examine Arafat.
Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who approved the request, later phoned Arafat to inquire about his health. The medical team includes six doctors, among them an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Habasi said the doctors will perform a precautionary exam on Arafat. "The president is in good health. He is suffering from a cold," he said. "There is nothing to worry about."
The decision to summon the specialists came shortly after Arafat was unable to complete Friday prayers at a small mosque inside his compound.
Top PA officials in Ramallah refused to elaborate on Arafat's health condition, insisting that he was only suffering from a "bad flu."
According to the officials, Arafat is in "good health" and was even continuing to observe Ramadan by fasting from dawn to dusk, contrary to his doctor's advice.
Hani al-Hassan, a top Fatah leader closely associated with Arafat, dismissed reports that Arafat was seriously ill as "Israeli propaganda."
"The Israelis are always searching for a funeral to attend," he remarked. "The reports according to which Arafat needs surgery are rumors spread by Israel."
However, some officials in Arafat's compound told The Jerusalem Post that the PA chairman needs to be hospitalized as soon as possible. "He works 18 hours a day, and that's too much for a 75-year-old man," one official said. "It looks like he needs to spend a few days in hospital."
A senior Fatah leader who met Arafat over the weekend expressed concern over the PA chairman's health. "The man is very tired," he said. "The problem is that he's refusing to rest."
Last week, a team of Egyptian doctors examined Arafat after he suffered from fever, nausea and a stuffy nose. The team was dispatched to Ramallah by President Hosni Mubarak at the request of senior PA officials.
Arafat's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said the results of the tests performed by the Egyptian doctors showed that the PA chairman is well. He said the Tunisian specialists will conduct "routine" checkups of Arafat.
The news about Arafat's failing health coincides with reports about a new crisis between him and PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, who is again threatening to resign. Palestinian sources said Qurei was frustrated with Arafat because of the latter's refusal to relinquish some of his authority. According to the sources, Qurei is planning to quit after the US elections and may be replaced with Foreign Minister Nabil Sha'ath. Qurei is also facing growing opposition in the Palestinian Legislative Council, which is planning a no-confidence vote against his cabinet next week.