Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja’s statement on the death of Yasser Arafat

Press Release 260/2004
11 November, 2004

President Yasser Arafat was, as is often the case with leaders who have influenced history, a highly controversial figure. It cannot be contested, however, that under his leadership the Palestinians became recognised and acknowledged as a nation by the rest of the world. Arafat raised the Palestinian cause and the wrongs they suffered to the awareness of the entire world.

Since the 1960s Arafat gave direction to the Palestinian national movement. He was also able to unite, behind a common goal, a people among whom differing views concerning family ties, religion and politics were – and still are – significant.

Another of Arafat’s merits is understanding of the fact that an independent Palestinian state could be created only through agreement and mutual recognition by two states living together in peace. For this and initiation of the peace process in the 1990s, he earned the Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded to him together with Prime Minister Rabin and Foreign Minister Peres. He and his cooperation partners, however, lacked sufficient power and courage to bring the peace plan to its conclusion. Arafat thus remained President of the Palestinians; he never became the President of Palestine.

Efforts to attain a sustainable and just peace between the two states, grounded in coexistence, remain the permanent and the only possible way to achieve security and humane living conditions for all residents in the Middle East.

For all parties, it is now important that the transfer of power to the new, legitimate Palestinian leadership takes place in an orderly and peaceful fashion. Arafat had a clear mandate from his people. His successors need the same. Implementation of free democratic elections in the Palestinian areas is now an even more important goal. All parties and actors participating in cooperation among the Quartet should work towards ensuring favourable conditions for the organisation of elections.

I extend my sincere condolences to the family of President Arafat, and to the Palestinian people on the passing of their long-term leader.

Additional information: Press Attaché Susanna Parkkonen, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, mobile +35840 545 1275