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Nasser al-Kidwa, Palestinian representative to the UN
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| By Associated Press November 18, 2004 |
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Creating an out from a sticky diplomatic problem, French authorities said Thursday they would release Yasser Arafat's medical records to his nephew, which could help demystify the cause of the Palestinian leader's death.
Officials here insist that French law prevents them from making Arafat's medical records public, and they have refused to announce the cause of his death in a Paris-area military hospital on Nov. 11.
The lack of information has proved fertile ground for widespread rumors in the Arab world that Arafat was poisoned, despite official denials. It also left the quality of care that Arafat received in France open to question and charges that perhaps not everything was done to save him.
The mystery and rumors also risk complicating life for Arafat's successors as they take over the reins of power. That, too, goes against France's wishes, which says it wants a smooth transition for the Palestinian Authority.
Because Arafat's nephew Nasser al-Kidwa is also the Palestinian representative to the United Nations, giving him the records offers France a way out, allowing it to abide by medical privacy laws that restrict information to family members while also responding to the Palestinian Authority's efforts to determine the cause of Arafat's death. Giving al-Kidwa the medical records would also put the onus on him to explain the causes of death.
Gen. Christian Estripeau, a spokesman for the French military's health wing, said in a telephone interview that al-Kidwa could have access to Arafat's medical records if he asks.
"His case has already been studied. I think that if he makes a demand it would be accepted," said Estripeau. He was the first French official to announce on Nov. 11 that Arafat had died after two weeks of treatment at the Percy Military Training Hospital southwest of Paris.
Estripeau added, however, that he was unaware of any request from al-Kidwa for access to the dossier. Foreign Ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous also said that, "at this hour, I know of no request from Mr. al-Kidwa to French authorities."
But another French official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that although al-Kidwa has not made a formal request, "it is something in the air" _ suggesting that a demand from the nephew is just a matter of time.
French Defense Ministry spokesman Jean-Francois Bureau said that Arafat's widow, Suha, also intends to formally request his medical dossier. But she proved unwilling during his treatment in France to release much information about his ailments.
Al-Kidwa, on the other hand, has publicly called for an investigation into Arafat's death although he also has said there is no evidence that Israel poisoned his uncle.
On Wednesday, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia ordered an inquiry to determine the cause of Arafat's death. The commission will take testimony from Palestinian and other Arab doctors and a delegation will go to France for the investigation, Palestinian officials said.
Ladsous, the French Foreign Ministry spokesman, said he had no details about when the delegation might be received in Paris.
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