Israel will not interfere in choice of Arafat successor

JERUSALEM – Israel will not interfere in the selection of an eventual successor to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who is currently undergoing medical tests in France for a mystery illness, Israeli President Moshe Katzav said in comments broadcast on public radio here on Sunday.

Katzav said he respected the Palestinians’ sorrow over the 75-year-old Arafat’s serious health problems which forced him to leave his West Bank headquarters on Friday where he had been held under virtual house arrest for almost three years. “At this time, I respect the Palestinians for their sorrow following Yasser Arafat’s illness,” Katzav said on the radio.”Israel has no intention of interfering in the choice of his successor,” he added.The Israeli President made his comments while welcoming to his Jerusalem residence a delegation of Muslim Israelis during the Ramadan religious festival.Arafat’s condition is stable and curable, officials in France said Sunday as doctors there ran further tests to determine whether he is fit to stay on as Palestinian Authority president.”The doctors are happy because his situation is quite stable.He’s eating a bit more, he’s more active with his environment, he’s speaking to people around him and he’s well,” said the Palestinian envoy in France, Leila Shahid.In the West Bank, the Palestinian parliament and national security council met in emergency session, presenting a united front to the world amid fears that political chaos could ensue should Arafat be unable to fulfil his duties.But top Arafat advisor Nabil Abu Rudeina tried to allay those fears, saying: “I can assure you that he is not suffering from leukemia or any serious problem.His situation is curable, and we hope that he will recover soon.”- Nampa-AFP”At this time, I respect the Palestinians for their sorrow following Yasser Arafat’s illness,” Katzav said on the radio.”Israel has no intention of interfering in the choice of his successor,” he added.The Israeli President made his comments while welcoming to his Jerusalem residence a delegation of Muslim Israelis during the Ramadan religious festival.Arafat’s condition is stable and curable, officials in France said Sunday as doctors there ran further tests to determine whether he is fit to stay on as Palestinian Authority president.”The doctors are happy because his situation is quite stable.He’s eating a bit more, he’s more active with his environment, he’s speaking to people around him and he’s well,” said the Palestinian envoy in France, Leila Shahid.In the West Bank, the Palestinian parliament and national security council met in emergency session, presenting a united front to the world amid fears that political chaos could ensue should Arafat be unable to fulfil his duties.But top Arafat advisor Nabil Abu Rudeina tried to allay those fears, saying: “I can assure you that he is not suffering from leukemia or any serious problem.His situation is curable, and we hope that he will recover soon.”- Nampa-AFP