W O R L D

Top legislator named interim President
Clashes erupt in Gaza Strip
Ramallah (West Bank), November 11
Parliament speaker Rawhi Fattouh was named interim Palestinian President today to replace Mr Yasser Arafat, who died hours before. A special session of Parliament swore Mr Fattouh into the caretaker position under the Palestinians’ basic law.

Arafat symbol of Palestinian nation: Kalam
World leaders mourn death
President APJ Abdul Kalam described Arafat as an enduring symbol of Palestinian nationhood and said in his death its people have not only lost a great patriot but also a great visionary.

Israelis shed no tears for Arafat Jerusalem, November 11 While Palestinians mourned President Yasser Arafat as the symbol of their aspirations, Israeli Jews poured scorn on the man they called the “master terrorist” and blamed for the deaths of hundreds of their kin. A Palestinian girl mourns the death of Yasser Arafat in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in south Lebanon. — Reuters photo

Top legislator named interim President
Clashes erupt in Gaza Strip

Ramallah (West Bank), November 11
Parliament speaker Rawhi Fattouh was named interim Palestinian President today to replace Mr Yasser Arafat, who died hours before.

A special session of Parliament swore Mr Fattouh into the caretaker position under the Palestinians’ basic law. Mr Fattouh’s key task will be to organise elections within 60 days.

Mr Fattouh has no independent power base and is widely regarded as a transitional leader only.

Reform-minded former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, who favours an end to violence and renewed peacemaking with Israel, was earlier elected Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the Palestinians’ highest decision-making body.

Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie, another moderate, is expected to have greater sway over security bodies than he held under President Arafat.

In another succession move, Mr Farouk Kaddoumi, a hardliner who advocates continued armed struggle against Israel for Palestinian statehood, was elected head of the PLO’s main political movement, Fatah.

Mr Kaddoumi’s rise could complicate a brewing post-Arafat power struggle since Mr Mahmoud Abbas, President Arafat’s moderate successor as head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, of which Fatah is part, supports renewed peace talks with Israel.

GAZA: Palestinian militants angry over their leader’s death attacked a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip on Thursday in what they said signalled the start of a new round of clashes against Israel.

Israeli soldiers killed one of the gunmen, who launched a multi-pronged attack against the heavily fortified Netzarim settlement in the Gaza Strip shortly after news of President Arafat’s death reached the territory, medics said.

The gunmen opened fire at the settlement, detonated a bomb and attempted to fire a rocket-propelled grenade, an army spokeswoman said. She said there had been an exchange of fire with troops and five gunmen had been hit.

Israeli security forces are on high alert for violence from Palestinian militants who have been staging an armed uprising for independence for the past four years.

Dozens of Palestinian youths threw stones at soldiers at a checkpoint near the West Bank city of Ramallah, where President Arafat will be buried following a funeral in Cairo on Friday. — Reuters

Arafat symbol of Palestinian nation: Kalam
World leaders mourn death

President APJ Abdul Kalam described Arafat as an enduring symbol of Palestinian nationhood and said in his death its people have not only lost a great patriot but also a great visionary.

“We join the leaders of the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian people in mourning the irretrievable loss of a statesman the world has admired and cherished,’’ the President said. In a separate condolence letter to Mrs Suha Arafat, the widow of the late leader, Dr Kalam said, “President Arafat was widely admired by all Indians and his lifelong sacrifices and struggle for the realisation of the hopes and aspirations of his people are legendary.’’

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said in Gaza that “The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns with pride for our Palestinian people, for our Muslim and Arab nation, the great leader Yasser Arafat. An icon of our struggle and a great Palestinian symbol.”

“The loss of the great leader will increase our determination and steadfastness to continue Jihad and resistance against the Zionist enemy until victory and liberation is achieved” Hamas said in a statement. Israeli Justice Minister Yosef Lapid said: “Without Arafat there could have already been peace in the region and a Palestinian state... The government of Israel will continue with its efforts to reach peace.” Israeli President Moshe Katsav expressed hope that the death of Arafat would allow his successors to open a “new chapter” in their relations with the Jewish state.

“If this new Palestinian leadership commits to this path, it will find in us a reliable partner aspiring to peace,” Katsav noted.

Top Islamic Jihad leader Mohammad-al-Hindi said: “This is a time for unity, steadfastness. We are all one people fighting for our freedom and to liberate our land... We are looking to see a smooth transfer of authority within Fatah at this stage and later all issues must be discussed, including the formation of a unified national leadership or an emergency leadership formed up by all factions.”

Arab league spokesman Hossam Zaki said: “It is a great loss, not only to the Palestinian cause but to the Arab world. Arafat was the embodiment of the Palestinian question and his absence will certainly be greatly felt”.

Israelis shed no tears for Arafat

Jerusalem, November 11
While Palestinians mourned President Yasser Arafat as the symbol of their aspirations, Israeli Jews poured scorn on the man they called the “master terrorist” and blamed for the deaths of hundreds of their kin.

“I don’t even think hell would take him,” said Moti Cohen, who holds Arafat personally responsible for a suicide bombing that killed his friend as he drove a bus in Jerusalem two years ago.

There was no official Israeli statement of condolence and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon did not even mention him by name as he said “latest events” might prove a turning point. — Reuters

Divali celebrated in House of Commons

London, November 11
Divali was celebrated in the House of Commons on a grand scale with several leaders, including Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Home Secretary David Blunkett lauding the contributions made by non-resident Indian community here in the British society.

In a message Prime Minister Tony Blair said: “Divali is now celebrated by different communities across the UK and its growing popularity helps to strengthen bonds between them. I am deeply touched by the unity, warmth and joy this festival brings each year and the spirit with which it is celebrated.”

The event yesterday transformed the packed dining room of the Commons into a spectacle of colour with traditional Hindu decorations, Rangoli designs, Hindu deities, exquisite Indian costumes, food displays and devotional music.

After lighting a Divali lamp, marking the inauguration of the two-hour-long function, Mr Blunkett said: “The Hindu community in Britain has set an example by their adherence to peace, discipline and family values. Divali, which symbolises the victory of good over the evil, has become one of the key festivals of Britain.”

Washington: Divali celebrations were held in the White House.

Several Indian community leaders were invited to attend the festivities on Wednesday.

Former US Ambassador to India and a senior official in the National Security Council Robert Blackwill assured the Indian community that President Bush plans to visit India next year.

Divali was celebrated in the White House for the first time last year after the US President agreed to hold the festivities following a long standing demand of the Indian community. — PTI

BRIEFLY

Israeli nuke whistleblower detained
JERUSALEM: Israeli police detained nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu on Thursday. Vanunu was released in April after an 18-year prison term for discussing his work at Israel’s atomic reactor in Dimona with a British newspaper. The interview led experts to conclude the Jewish state had nuclear weapons. — Reuters

2 Pak terror suspects held
Barcelona (Spain): The Spanish police said they had arrested two Pakistanis overnight in Barcelona for alleged membership of an Islamic terrorist group, which they said they had broken up in a September raid in the northeastern city. Spanish judge Ismael Moreno ordered the operation, which nabbed 10 other Pakistani suspects on September 15. — AFP