Arafat's Jordanian Physician Wants Autopsy

CBC News:

Yasser Arafat's Jordanian physician on Friday urged an autopsy be performed on the Palestinian leader because of the mystery surrounding his illness and death.

Dr. Ashraf al-Kurdi's comments underscored frustration in many corners of the Arab world over the intense secrecy surrounding Arafat's condition.

Some have speculated Arafat was poisoned, but Israeli and Palestinian officials have sharply denied that theory.

"These stories are simply ridiculous," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev told The Associated Press on Friday. "We never denied Arafat access to medical help. We never prevented doctors from visiting him. We never prevented him from going to a hospital."

Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath has said after talks with Arafat's French doctors that they had "ruled out completely poison."

Gen. Christian Estripeau, spokesman at the French military hospital where Arafat was treated, refused to say whether an autopsy was performed or to comment on speculation that Arafat was poisoned. There was no comment from Palestinian officials.

Many unanswered questions concerning Arafat's death have led to persistent, widespread speculation and it probably won't stop until an autopsy report and his medical records are released to the public. In the meantime, Interested-Participant recommends avoiding the French health care system.