Arafat Had A Heart Attack
Yasser Arafat has suffered a mild heart attack, but the Palestinian leadership has sought to keep his health problems secret for fear it would "create panic".
The 74-year-old Palestinian President, who is suffering from Parkinson's disease, disappeared from public view last week and re-emerged at the weekend looking extremely ill. His face was pale and pinched, he had lost weight and he was almost inaudible. He had trouble standing for more than a few minutes at a time.
The Palestinian press said he had the flu. But Palestinian officials told The Guardian Mr Arafat had a heart attack last week. "Although he has had a slight heart attack, the doctors say he will make a full recovery. He is in full control. There is nothing to worry about," said an aide.
Read the full report from The Age.
Matt's Chat
Could it be that the end of the reign of terror known as Arafat is near? Peace in our time may actually happen afterall...Mark's Remarks
I hope so...hopefully his hatred and the terror he spawned will die with him....The Only panic it will create is among Hams and Hezbollah wondering who is going to make them look good now that PR boy Arafat is gone? If I were them, I would ask Osama what the going rate on cave space is, because when Arafat is gone, I hope it is open season.
