Palestinians push for Arafat file

BBC – A Palestinian delegation is to travel to France to seek details on the precise cause of Yasser Arafat’s death, officials in Ramallah said.

Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei asked for Arafat’s medical records to be released but France’s privacy law has prevented the cause of death being revealed. {{more}}

Only his immediate family, including wife Suha, can receive the files.

Speculation among ordinary Palestinians that the 75-year-old was poisoned by Israel was dismissed by the leaders.

“A delegation will go to France to obtain clarifications on the medical report on what caused the death of our leader Yasser Arafat,” said interim Palestinian president Rawhi Fattouh.

Meanwhile, France’s Le Monde newspaper has said doctors who treated Arafat believed he died of a blood clotting disorder called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).