The big questions in the world media, Israeli government circles, and in the PA is whether arch-terrorist Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will be allowed to leave for Beirut; if so, whether he will choose to do so; and if so, will he be allowed to return. Israel\'s mini-security cabinet convened again last night but reached no decision. The U.S. is exerting overt pressure on Israel to allow Arafat to attend the Arab League conference in Beirut tomorrow, despite Israel\'s long-time stand that if the terrorism continues, such permission would not be granted. U.S. Secretary of State Powell phoned Sharon yesterday on the matter, and White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said that Sharon should \"seriously consider\" letting Arafat go.