To the Point

Can Yasser Arafat Survive Expulsion?

The latest Intifada has led to violence and misery with no end in sight. Many Palestinians themselves blame Yasser Arafat, accusing the Palestinian Authority of being corrupt and authoritarian. Yet, instead of demanding reform, they are crowding around him with cheers of support. Israel-s threat to -remove- or even kill Arafat appears to be doing him more good than harm. International reactions range from predictions of -a wide-scale growth in the threat of terrorism- to warnings that Arafat-s removal could damage the peace process. Has Israel's action backfired? We look at the Middle East-s ultimate survivor with journalists in the US and Middle East, and former State Department and UN officials. Making News: Federal Appeals Court Postpones California Recall The federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dropped a political bomb on California when a three judge panel ruled today that the recall election scheduled for October 7 must be postponed until March of next year. Henry Weinstein, legal affairs writer for the Los Angeles Times, has the details and legal ramifications of the Court-s decision; Republican political strategist Arnold Steinberg considers its political implications.