11/10/04: Arafat Interview (2002)
Nov. 10, 2004 — -- The first time I interviewed Yasser Arafat was in Beirut in the 1980s. The last time was inside his Ramallah compound two years ago.
From Nightline May 1, 2002:
YASSER ARAFAT: I'm very furious of what is happening in the nativity church. Itnever happened in the whole history. Even when the sectarian came to thisarea, they didn't approach it.
KOPPEL: The Israelis ...
ARAFAT: It is the same, what had happened, if you remember, in the Aqsa mosque.You remember?
KOPPEL: The al Aqsa mosque?
ARAFAT: Yeah. You remember, in the beginning.
KOPPEL: Yes.
ARAFAT: When they burned it.
KOPPEL: The Israelis are saying that the men inside the church thought thatthe IDF was going to attack. And they began to set fires inside thebuilding.
ARAFAT: Can you believe that?
KOPPEL: I'm telling you what they are saying.
ARAFAT: They're big lies. I am -I am in contact with them. Can you -could youbelieve in these big lies? Can anyone burn himself? His house? The placewhere he is sleeping? The churches where he is praying?
KOPPEL: If they thought they were under attack by the Israelis, maybe.
ARAFAT: Maybe. How? I am a general. You are speaking with Yasser Arafat. Canyou believe that I would make a fire here when you are attacking me?
KOPPEL: You're telling me no?
ARAFAT: Definitely not. You are speaking to General Arafat.
KOPPEL: I understand. I understand.
ARAFAT: What is going is a big crime. A big crime. And I am asking for the wholeworld to move quickly to stop this crime. I am not asking anything now,but now, I am asking only to stop this crime. Dirty crime against thisholy, sacred place.
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