Idealogian

Arafat's Health

The issue of Arafat's ailing health has made it to the front page of several New York newspapers, though his condition is reportedly improving slightly. The most appropriate comment I can make has already been made in a White House press briefing, albeit regarding someone else:

QUESTION: Did you hear that Castro fell?

[RICHARD] BOUCHER[, SPOKESMAN]: We heard that Castro fell. There are, I think, various reports that he broke a leg, an arm, a foot, and other things, and I'd guess you'd have to check with the Cubans to find out what's broken about Mr. Castro. We, obviously, have expressed our views about what's broken in Cuba.

QUESTION: Do you wish him a speedy recovery?

MR. BOUCHER: No.

QUESTION: No? Do you wish him a speedy demise?

MR. BOUCHER: I'll leave the man's health alone. I think our view --

QUESTION: Would you have preferred that his injuries be more life threatening? (Laughter.) People have come out, including your former boss --

MR. BOUCHER: I know.

QUESTION: -- and said things like, well, we hope the actuarial tables catch up with Mr. Castro. Are you disappointed that he wasn't more seriously wounded?

MR. BOUCHER: I'm not going to express that kind of disappointment. I think, you know, the events speak for themselves. The situation in Cuban is of our primary concern. The situation of Mr. Castro is of little concern to us, but unfortunately of enormous importance to the people of Cuba, who have suffered very long under his rule. And we think that the kind of rule that Cuba has had should be ended.

QUESTION: Do you think if he stepped aside -- that's an "if" question, of course -- whoever succeeds him would provide any policy more to the U.S.'s liking than Castro has?

MR. BOUCHER: It would be highly speculative for me to say that at this point, except to note that we do think the people of Cuba deserve democracy. They, like everybody else in the world, deserve a chance to choose their own fate and future, and that the Secretary of State co-chaired an effort on behalf of this Administration last year to identify what we can do to hasten that day and what we can do when that day comes to support the people of Cuba, as they have found their own democracy, which is something we have strong confidence that they will someday be able to do.

One other point of note, from the New York Times article:

Mr. Arafat has been the dominant Palestinian leader for close to four decades and has resisted any talk of a successor.

Any leader who is truly concerned with the welfare of his people would be doing his utmost to ensure a smooth transition of leadership after his departure. To ignore this issue is to prove oneself a selfish leader whose primary concern is for his own legacy and glory. Not that there was ever really any doubt about that regarding Arafat.