Yasser Arafat is in Dublin as part of an intensive European tour seeking support for Palestinian statehood.
The Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat was met at Dublin Airport by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and then escorted to Government Buildings.
He is in Dublin as part of an intensive European tour seeking support for Palestinian statehood. Earlier Mr Arafat had been on an official visit to Denmark. The declaration of an independent state for Palestine was scheduled to be made on 4 May 1999. But due to pressure from American and European leaders, it will be postponed until after the Israeli elections on 17 May.
Both the Taoiseach and Mr Arafat had a working dinner in Government Buildings before stepping outside to address the media. The Taoiseach spoke of previously meeting Mr Arafat in Gaza, adding,
You’re very, very welcome and we will continue to support your just cause in every way we can.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Arafat said,
I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity, that you allowed us here, in this friendly country.
After the news conference he met with President Mary McAleese in Áras an Uachtaráin. The next stop on his tour is Algeria.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 May 1999. The reporter is Teresa Mannion.
