That account of his health is in stark contrast to others we have heard in recent days. Mr. Arafat has been: in a coma, in a 'reversible' coma, in an 'irreversible' coma, 'near death', on life support, brain dead, and even dead according to various sources in the Palestinian Authority.

The world needs a straight answer about the man's health, then it can evaluate Mrs. Arafat's claims of conspiracy. Perhaps he is well but being kept away from those who would do him harm. Maybe he is being kept on life support so that while his funeral details are being worked out. It is also possible that his condition is being kept vague while the succession is being worked out.

All of this is possible but without clarity, and with accusations of conspiracies and poisonings, the question of Mr. Arafat's health will continue to be a disruptive force in a part of the world that doesn't need it.