This is in response to Eric Sutton's letter ("Arafat's death to be good for Middle East" Tues., Nov 16.). Yasser Arafat had numerous failings, but unfortunately exemplary leaders are rare. For example some of the Israeli leaders have had less than exemplary past. Ariel Sharon was indirectly yet personally responsible for the Sabra and Shatila massacre, while Yitzhak Shamir ordered the assassination of Count Bernadotte. The real issue however is the occupation. To go along with the idea advanced by officials that Arafat was the obstacle to peace, is to ignore the cause as well as the imbalance of power. In any given period the toll has invariably been higher on the Palestinian side. Occupation-related actions -- such as home demolitions, curfews and invasions -- not only have devastating consequences but also increase resentment. This is not in any way to justify acts such as suicide bombings or belittle the deaths on the Israeli side. However, we need to understand that human beings in desperate circumstances are likely to commit extreme acts. The policies of successive Israeli Governments (e.g. doubling number of settlements during Oslo Peace process) and American administrations (diplomatic/logistic support at $3 to 6 billion in aid per year) have created facts on the ground, making peace much harder to achieve. Of course, corrupt Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) leadership and violence from militant factions are big obstacles. Real prospects for peace will arise only when the root cause is addressed. Otherwise the conflict will most likely worsen with or without Arafat or the corrupt PLO leadership.