Arafat to Speak at Kennedy School

Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian National Authority [PNA], is scheduled to speak at the Kennedy School of Government next Tuesday, the school announced yesterday.

The speech, his first at an American university, was arranged by Bishara A. Bahbah, the associate director of the Institute for Social and Economic Policy in the Middle East, which is co-sponsoring the talk with the Institute of Politics [IOP].

As head of the PNA, Arafat is currently negotiating a peace plan with the Israeli government. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin will speak at the Kennedy School on November 15.

Tickets for Arafat's speech are being lotteried from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, tomorrow and Thursday at the Institute of Politics's Forum Office.

Lottery results will be posted next Monday and tickets can picked up the same day at the Forum office.

Bahbah was able to arrange the visit because of connections he made with Arafat and the Palestinian Liberation Organization [PLO] while editing the now-defunct Palestinian newsletter Al-fair, according to Institute Director Leonard J. Hausman.

Bahbah issued an invitation to Arafat several weeks ago. Arafat accepted last Friday, Hausman said.

The Institute for Social and Economic Policy received a $2 million grant in 1994 from Kenneth and Evelyn Litper to provide technical assistance to the new Palestinian government.

The Institute has sent teams of experts to help establish the Palestinian tax system, budget agency, and money authority.

Yesterday Jewish students interviewed at Hillel reacted with cautious enthusiasm to news of Arafat's impending visit.

"This man is a major player in the peace process," said Hillel Chair Ethan M. Tucker '97. "It is appropri- ate that he is coming here."

"There will be those who are uncomfortable with this man who is responsible for many deaths over the past decade," added Tucker, who is a Crimson editor.

Betty L. Shamich '96, of the Arab Students Association, declined to comment last night.

IOP leaders said that the combination of Arafat and Rabin speeches should quell possible concerns that the Kennedy School is choosing sides.

"I think this will spark some debate, but Rabin's speaking addresses any concerns about balance," said Avery W. Gardiner '97, IOP Projects committee chair.

Throughout the Palestinian intifada, or uprising, Arafat led the PLO from its headquarters in Tunis. The PLO supported political and often violent intifada activities. Israel officially recognized the organization and its leader in a September 1993 ceremony

"There will be those who are uncomfortable with this man who is responsible for many deaths over the past decade," added Tucker, who is a Crimson editor.

Betty L. Shamich '96, of the Arab Students Association, declined to comment last night.

IOP leaders said that the combination of Arafat and Rabin speeches should quell possible concerns that the Kennedy School is choosing sides.

"I think this will spark some debate, but Rabin's speaking addresses any concerns about balance," said Avery W. Gardiner '97, IOP Projects committee chair.

Throughout the Palestinian intifada, or uprising, Arafat led the PLO from its headquarters in Tunis. The PLO supported political and often violent intifada activities. Israel officially recognized the organization and its leader in a September 1993 ceremony