Who was Yasser Arafat?

摘要

The January elections in Iraq have awakened dormant aspi-rations for freedom all over the Middle East. From protests in Lebanon and the fall of Lebanon's Syrian-backed government, to promised elections in Egypt — a bright flame of hope has been kindled. Adding to the optimism, the death of Yasser Arafat paved the way for election of a new Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, upon whom the world has pinned high hopes for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.