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The United Nations has accorded Yasser Arafat honors as a head of
state, holding a tribute in the General Assembly and flying the flag at
half staff. Secretary-General Kofi Annan led the tribute.
The hour-long General Assembly tribute featured eulogies from ambassadors
representing each of the world's regions, as well as Islamic and Arab
groups. Such tributes are usually reserved for sitting heads of state.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan described Mr. Arafat as one of those few
leaders instantly recognizable by people around the world. He said Mr.
Arafat's signing of the 1993 Oslo Accords was a giant step in realizing
the vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in
peace.
"It is tragic that he did not live to see it fulfilled," he said. "Now
that he has gone, both Israelis and Palestinians, and 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."
United Nations flags were flown at half-staff during the day, in
keeping with practice for heads of state. Spokesman Fred Eckhard said
Secretary-General Annan requests the honor for Mr. Arafat.
"The General Assembly over the years has accorded President Arafat the
status of Head of State," he said, "and it was decided to accord him that
same status in death as in life and that was the Secretary General's
proposal and the General Assembly agreed with that."
The United States was represented in the crowded Assembly hall by
public delegate Susan Moore. Washington's UN Ambassador John Danforth
earlier issued a brief statement echoing comment made by President Bush.
He called Mr. Arafat's death a significant moment in Palestinian history,
and offered condolences to the
family. | 
