What I didn''t understand was why has he had to go to Paris for this treatment. I mean, I disdain this anti-French drivel our Freedom Fries-chomping compatriots love so much, but even I was perplexed by this. How come France was first in line to accomodate for him? I would expect a host of Arab nations (from Egypt to Saudi Arabia) to rush to be honored to accept their buddy-roo.

Moving on to the topic of his death, I don''t think that it changes much since it was inevitable. He has long been nothing but a figurehead. The only real authority in Palestine is Hamas, let''s face it.

I think in France they simply could get the better medical treatment, no? Maybe I`m not fair to Arab medical system, but i think that when some arab politicians get bad, they always head to europe, no?

What Johnny said (quoted), too. Where is it from?

I would think the compassion of the French would be better spent on Palestinian and Israeli children effected by all this dingus'' behavior.

I''m not sure nothing changes.

If you recall, when they had the other guy as head of the parliament, a lot of good things were expected, but Arafat kept blocking stuff.

Maybe some power shifts to that assembly.

I''m not doubting Hamas gets crazy and blams Israel for his death of course either.

I also work with some Israelis and they feel it would be positive for the conflict if he were out of the picture.

I always wondered why these ancient terrorists wore those bizzare soviet uniforms long since rendered out of style. Look at Arafat, Kim Jong, Castro etc. I''m wondering where Wo Phat is and when Steve McGarret is going to drop in and say ""Book''em""

I understand it imparts ""revolutionary"" or ""commando"" in an unspoken sense but geez, its almost comical now.

As for the more serious matter of his health, I will agree with Jason that the world would be better off without him. Some people cause too much hate and strife by their mere presence as a figurehead. I''m surprised he lived this long really

I believe Arafat did not request to be brought to France. His cronies brought him there in hopes he could survive. But, what do I know?

There will still be trouble after he dies. The Palestineans want him to be buried in Jerusalem, simply because he stated previously that is where he wanted to be buried. Setting aside the utter gall of such a request, it will be denied. Since Palestinians don''t take bad news well, they will become violent. In the utter chaos Hamas will emerge as a ruling party.

And so it goes....

Am I the only one who thinks all this talk of fall out from his death and such is a bit premature?

""I''m not dead.""
""''Ere, he says he''s not dead.""
""Yes he is.""
""I''m not.""
""He isn''t.""
""Well, he will be soon, he''s very ill.""
""I''m getting better.""
""No you''re not, you''ll be stone dead in a moment.""

Oh, hell. I blamed Mossad for his illness when it was first reported.

It appears that Elvis has officially left the building now:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20041111/t...

My thoughts about this event were summed up by a reader on the BBC News website.

Now at least there is a chance for peace, the first since 2000.

Perhaps not. I say, in the slums of refugee camps, he''ll be revered much more more after his death than he was lately whilst still alive.

Doesn''t matter. Bin Laden has more, and he''s their hero. Actually, in Middle East, maybe it''s mo'' doller mo'' better.

You heard it straight from those Vietnamese h00x0rs of yours?!!?