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.