Wave of National Leaders Express Condolences

On November 11, when the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was announced, countries around the world issued statements and expressed their condolences.

The U.S. and Israel-

"The United States expresses condolences over the late Palestinian leader’s death,” U.S. President George W. Bush said after hearing the news about his death. “We hope for peace and construction of an independent state at peace with neighboring countries in this region,” particularly emphasizing Israeli-Palestinian coexistence.

The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed, “His death must serve as a trigger for all-out efforts for peace in the Middle East.”

Israel commented on his death, “We look to his death as a new opportunity for eliminating violence.”

Israeli President Moshe Katsav emphasized, “I hope the new Palestinian leadership takes a new path for ending terrorism and violence,” and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said, “This should serve as an opportunity to devise a constructive measure for Middle Eastern peace.”

Europe and Islam Nations-

“It is time that the peace in the Middle East emerge as the top priority of every nation,” said British Prime Minister Tony Blair and stressed, “Britain will closely cooperate with the U.S. and the E.U. to bring peace in the Middle East.”

French President Jacques Chirac commented, “Palestinian Authority President Arafat inspired the Middle Eastern people by acting on his firm belief and courage.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences by saying, “His demise is abig sorrow as well as loss for Palestinians and the leadership.”

Islam nations made a hero of Arafat.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak mourned over his death and said, “Arafat was the mentor of all Arabs.”

King Abdullah of Jordan, which has the largest concentration of Palestinian refugees among Arab nations, said, “We support Palestinian’s faith to establish an independent state and look forward to progress in Middle Eastern peace.”

Dong-Won Kim daviskim@donga.com