Comment: The indomitable Yasser Arafat

No observer can ignore the remarkable victory achieved by Yasser Arafat, with his second to none steadfastness against the Israeli-American policy that aims to marginalise the veteran Palestinian leader.

Arafat, besieged at his Ramallah compound for more than two years, has managed to maintain a firm grip on power, proving his unique position in Palestinian political life.

Arafat's challenge to the Americans and Israelis reached its climax with the collapse of the former Palestinian government of Mahmoud Abbas and the formation of the Ahmed Qorei cabinet. The developments enraged both Americans and Israelis. However, they expressed their willingness to deal with the Qorei government, which in other words is Arafat's.

And Israeli Foreign Minister, Sylvan Shalom has announced the willingness of his premier to meet Qorei, whose top priority is to reach controversial ceasefire with Israel.

Arafat's political advisor, Hatem Abu Sha'ban, told Gulf News that the main reason for the remarkable failure of Israeli-American plans is the well-established will of the Palestinian people who put their trust in Arafat as they consider him as "a security valve for their political aspirations in an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital".

Abu Sha'ban noted that the Israel-American policy of confining Arafat not only proved a failure, but was counterproductive with increasing numbers of Palestinian have shown support to Arafat.

Abu Sha'ban added: "Any Palestinian cabinet will not succeed if it is not controlled and governed by the President."