Yasser Arafat's death or departure from the Palestinian leadership will have very significant impact on the workings of the PLO mission at UN headquarters in New York. According to one version of events discussed by diplomats Thursday, the death of the Palestinian leader would mean a moderation in the position of the PLO's New York mission toward Israel. The Palestinian chief of mission, Nasser al-Kidwa, who is Arafat's nephew, has taken an extremist and hostile line against Israel in recent years. He has repeatedly called for emergency sessions of the General Assembly, which became a platform for anti-Israel speeches and resolutions that won widespread support. During Mahoud Abbas' term as prime minister there was no communication between him and al-Kidwa, who is said to take his orders directly from Arafat, and Abbas reportedly considered firing him. Al-Kidwa is also on poor terms with Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath. Senior diplomats at UN headquarters believe that after a transition period in the Palestinian leadership, al-Kidwa will be replaced by a moderate senior Palestinian. Sources in New York said Thursday that the PLO mission is already considering a memorial ceremony to be held for Yasser Arafat in the General Assembly. According to the sources, al-Kidwa is planning international events in Arafat's memory, to which world leaders and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan would be invited.