CBC News Indepth: Yasser Arafat

12:34 PM EST Feb 13

YASSER ARAFAT
In their own words
CBC News Online, Nov. 11, 2004

The following is reaction from world leaders to the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat:

A Palestinian boy kisses a picture of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Canada calls on Palestinians, and all peoples of the Middle East, to reflect on the tremendous cost of conflict, and, building on the legacy of their leaders and the guidance of their governments, to renew their commitment to peace.

– Prime Minister Paul Martin

At dawn, we lost President Yasser Arafat, who we knew as a defender of justice, as a man who strove towards peace, and resisted occupation, and as a man who looked for international legitimacy.

History will judge him as a brave man who defended his people and I have total confidence in the people succeeding him in power.

– Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

The death of Yasser Arafat is a significant moment in Palestinians' history.

We hope that the future will bring peace and the fulfilment of the aspirations for an independent democratic Palestine that is at peace with its neighbours.

– U.S. President George W. Bush

For nearly four decades, he expressed and symbolized in his person the national aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Now that he is gone both Israelis and Palestinians, and the friends of both peoples throughout the world, must make even greater efforts to bring about the peaceful realization of the Palestinian right of self-determination.

– UN Secretary General Kofi Annan

The recent events could be a historic turning point for the Middle East. Israel is a country that seeks peace and will continue its efforts to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians without delay.

– Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

The biggest mistake of Arafat was when he turned to terror.

His greatest achievements were when he tried to build peace.

– Israeli opposition leader Shimon Peres

With him disappears a man of courage and conviction who embodied for 40 years the Palestinians' fight for the recognition of their national rights.

– French President Jacques Chirac

He led his people to an historic acceptance of the need for a two-state solution. Peace in the Middle East must be the international community's highest priority: the goal of a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel is one that we must continue to work tirelessly to achieve.

We will do whatever we can working with the U.S. and EU to help the parties reach a fair and durable settlement.

– U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair

Yasser Arafat's life stands for the varied and tragic history of the Palestinian people and the Middle East as a whole.

In it were reflected many people's hopes for peace, but time and again also their disappointments and setbacks.

– German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer

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CBC-TV's Adrienne Arsenault reports on the life of Yasser Arafat (Runs 3:46)

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