′Brain dead′ report heightens Arafat confusion

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was "brain dead" today and breathing only because of artificial life support systems, a French medical official said after conflicting reports he was alive or dead.

In strictly technical terms, Arafat was "not dead," the source told AFP.

But the 75-year-old was in an irreversible coma and could only be maintained in his vegetative state through ventilation machines.

A reader writes:

I believe this was written in the editorial section of the Wall Street Journal - It was at the back of the Age - And since we stand at the dawn of a new era I think it is fitting:

"All that one needs to know about Yassir Arafat is that he demanded that he wear a pistol when he addressed the United Nations. And all one needs to know about the United Nations is that they let him in."

Shabbat Shalom,