His gyrations through the region have accelerated as he prepares the ground for the meeting later this month of the informal Palestinian parliament that is expected to decide whether to proclaim an independent state, based on territory currently occupied by Israel -- the West Bank and Gaza -- and run by a provisional government. At 59, Arafat is a man both admired as a revolutionary leader and despised as a terrorist, a leader who can be calmly reasonable or passionately shrill in the pursuit of his cause. Last week Arafat borrowed an Iraqi jet for a brief trip to Turkey, complete with a Turkish air force fighter escort. During his trip he met with assistant managing editor Karsten Prager and senior correspondent Murray J. Gart for eight hours of conversation, partly aboard his plane and also in the Baghdad headquarters that doubles as his home. While he repeated some familiar positions, he surprised his visitors with glimpses into his personal life and with his eagerness to begin negotiations with Israel.
Q. You take extraordinary security precautions these days. Why are they necessary?
A. I know ((the Israelis)) have been following me, but there's nothing new in that. They have followed me since I was in the occupied territories and whenever I was present during a siege.
Q. But neither side is going after the other's top leadership. If the Israelis wanted to kill Arafat, they could.
A. Not true. What about the bombing of my residence in Tunis ((in 1985)) -- four buildings destroyed, 74 killed, 122 wounded. And the same during the Beirut fighting ((in 1982)). They tried to snipe at me by airplane. ((Israeli General Ariel)) Sharon said, "We will get him." But he did not succeed.
Q. So all these years you have not slept easily?
A. No. I sleep easily, but not in the same place.
Q. Do you still stay only one night in one place?
A. Yes. This is my rule everywhere. Only I know where. Nobody else. Only when I get into my car do I give the instructions.
Q. That's the art of survival?
A. It is not a picnic. We have to be very careful.
Q. You were born in Cairo?
A. Yes. It is very difficult. I don't like to speak about myself. I passed my boyhood with my uncle in Jerusalem.
Q. Where did you live in Jerusalem?
A. Near the Wailing Wall in the Old City. The Israelis demolished the house in 1967.
Q. When was the last time you saw the place?
A. 1968, after the invasion.
Q. Did you visit your family?
A. No, I couldn't. I didn't want to put them in danger. Second, I didn't want to unmask my presence. Who wouldn't talk? Especially the small kids, children who might call out, "Arafat is here! Arafat is here!"
Q. You financed the P.L.O. during the early years?
A. I participated in financing it.
Q. Because you were a millionaire?
A. No, I never was a millionaire. I was rich. In Kuwait I started three construction companies with partners. They were successful. When I left for Fatah and the P.L.O., my partners paid me for my shares and I left money behind, invested in companies that have become very successful. Let us say I have enough. Until now I have not taken any money from the P.L.O. or the Fatah organization. I still spend my own money.