[20041105]RS21965_阿拉法特的继任.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21965November 5, 2004Arafats SuccessionClyde MarkSpecialist in Middle East AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryReports from Paris on November 4, 2004, that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat wasnear death reopened questions about who would succeed him as President of thePalestinian Authority, Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), headof al-Fatah, and President of the unilaterally declared Palestinian state. It is unlikely thatone person would succeed Arafat in all four positions. This report describes themechanisms for replacing Arafat in his four positions and lists a few of the manypossible successors. The report may be updated as necessary.BackgroundLate October 2004 reports of Yasir Arafats failing health opened speculation thatthe Palestinian leader had influenza, cancer of the digestive tract, leukemia, gall stones,intestinal infection, or some unnamed stomach affliction. Tunisian, Egyptian, Jordanian,and Palestinian doctors reportedly conferred and agreed that Arafat should go to Paris fortreatment of his undisclosed or u