Arafat Pays Bush Condolences for Columbia Victims

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, February 02, 2003

Arafat Pays Bush Condolences for Columbia Victims

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat sent on Saturday a letter of condolences to US President George W. Bush to express his deepest sorrow for the death of the seven crew members aboard the space shuttle Columbia.

Arafat paid his and the Palestinian people condolences to President Bush and the families of the victims, including Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, a statement published by Palestinian officialnews agency "Wafa" said.

President Bush confirmed that all seven crew members aboard the space shuttle Columbia were killed after it broke up just 16 minutes from its scheduled landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Palestinian sources said that Arafat took the opportunity to send the letter of condolences to president Bush in order to improve the US-Palestinian ties after it broke out over the continuation of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

Bush has called frankly upon the Palestinians to change Arafat and their leadership, and elect a new and democratic one while promising the Palestinians that they would gain an independent Palestinian state.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Sharon Expresses Sorrow to Israeli Astronaut's Death

US Space Shuttle Colombia Crashed Before Landing

Beijing to Cancel 'Hotels for Hosting Foreign Visitors' ( 11 Messages)

Crazy Pursuit for Graduate Education, an Ailing Personnel System ( 2 Messages)

Chinese Experts Demand Return of Cultural Relics ( 30 Messages)

Chinese Bid Farewell to Outworn Doctrine of Egalitarianism ( 22 Messages)

Full Text of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq ( 3 Messages)