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Tests on Arafat Find No Proof of Radiation Poisoning Tests on Arafat Find No Proof of Radiation Poisoning
(about 1 hour later)
PARIS — French investigators studying the remains of Yasir Arafat have concluded that the Palestinian leader most likely did not die of radiation poisoning, Mr. Arafat’s widow, Suha, said here Tuesday. She noted, however, that the investigators did find unusually elevated levels of radioactivity in and around his body.PARIS — French investigators studying the remains of Yasir Arafat have concluded that the Palestinian leader most likely did not die of radiation poisoning, Mr. Arafat’s widow, Suha, said here Tuesday. She noted, however, that the investigators did find unusually elevated levels of radioactivity in and around his body.
The results partly contradict and partly confirm those of Swiss scientists who last month reported finding abnormal levels of radioactive polonium-210 in Mr. Arafat’s remains. In contrast to the French, however, they concluded that their findings “moderately support the proposition” that Mr. Arafat, who was 75 at his death in 2004, died of radiation poisoning.The results partly contradict and partly confirm those of Swiss scientists who last month reported finding abnormal levels of radioactive polonium-210 in Mr. Arafat’s remains. In contrast to the French, however, they concluded that their findings “moderately support the proposition” that Mr. Arafat, who was 75 at his death in 2004, died of radiation poisoning.
The French investigators concluded that the remains had been irradiated post-mortem by the air and soil surrounding his body and “dismiss the hypothesis of poisoning by polonium-210,” Ms. Arafat said.The French investigators concluded that the remains had been irradiated post-mortem by the air and soil surrounding his body and “dismiss the hypothesis of poisoning by polonium-210,” Ms. Arafat said.
“You can imagine how upset I am by these contradictions,” she said, adding later that she remained “convinced that there’s something wrong” with her husband’s death. Her lawyers will request that the Swiss report be considered by the French judges investigating the case.“You can imagine how upset I am by these contradictions,” she said, adding later that she remained “convinced that there’s something wrong” with her husband’s death. Her lawyers will request that the Swiss report be considered by the French judges investigating the case.
Mr. Arafat’s sudden decline and death in a French military hospital have long stirred speculation of foul play — perhaps by Israel, perhaps by Palestinian rivals — and early last year Al Jazeera, the television news channel, commissioned Swiss scientists to test some of Mr. Arafat’s effects. The items were found to contain an “unexplained” and “elevated” level of polonium-210, and Ms. Arafat petitioned French authorities to investigate, alleging homicide.Mr. Arafat’s sudden decline and death in a French military hospital have long stirred speculation of foul play — perhaps by Israel, perhaps by Palestinian rivals — and early last year Al Jazeera, the television news channel, commissioned Swiss scientists to test some of Mr. Arafat’s effects. The items were found to contain an “unexplained” and “elevated” level of polonium-210, and Ms. Arafat petitioned French authorities to investigate, alleging homicide.
Mr. Arafat’s body was exhumed in Ramallah, in the West Bank, last year. Body, air and soil samples were taken by French judicial investigators and by the Swiss scientists, who were commissioned by Ms. Arafat, her lawyers said, and by Russian scientists contracted by the Palestinian Authority, whose relations with Ms. Arafat are known to be hostile.Mr. Arafat’s body was exhumed in Ramallah, in the West Bank, last year. Body, air and soil samples were taken by French judicial investigators and by the Swiss scientists, who were commissioned by Ms. Arafat, her lawyers said, and by Russian scientists contracted by the Palestinian Authority, whose relations with Ms. Arafat are known to be hostile.
The French report was delivered on Tuesday but has not been made public, as it is part of an continuing judicial inquiry. As a complainant in the case, however, Ms. Arafat is legally authorized to describe its contents. The French report was delivered on Tuesday but has not been made public, as it is part of a continuing judicial inquiry. As a complainant in the case, however, Ms. Arafat is legally authorized to describe its contents.
In contrast with French and Swiss scientists, the Russians have reported finding no abnormal levels of radioactive polonium in Mr. Arafat’s remains, said Saad Djebbar, a lawyer who represents Ms. Arafat. But Mr. Djebbar characterized those findings as unserious and incomplete.In contrast with French and Swiss scientists, the Russians have reported finding no abnormal levels of radioactive polonium in Mr. Arafat’s remains, said Saad Djebbar, a lawyer who represents Ms. Arafat. But Mr. Djebbar characterized those findings as unserious and incomplete.