From Arkansas to Arafat`s Ramallah
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Arkansas political consultant Bill Vickery is staying quiet about how he ended up at Yasser Arafat`s Ramallah compound (he says things unfolded in a "series of political events"), but he`s sharing his personal insights on the controversial Palestinian leader.
Vickery says he was struck by Arafat`s charisma and charm. He says, even in a compound that was under seige, Arafat worked the room like a people-friendly politician.
Vickery says once Arafat dies, violence in the Middle East will most likely increase, not go down.
He says that could change as time goes on, but that will be up to the Palestinian people and the kind of leader they choose.
