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Official says no evidence of poisoning
By Associated Press
Published November 14, 2004
RAMALLAH, West Bank - A top Palestinian official said Saturday there is no evidence that Israel poisoned Yasser Arafat, but called for an investigation into the cause of death of the Palestinian leader.
Responding to widespread rumors in the Arab world that Israel killed Arafat, Nasser al-Kidwa, the Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, said poisoning was a "possibility." But he made clear there is nothing to back up this claim.
Al-Kidwa's comments on the poisoning rumors were the first by a Palestinian official since Arafat's death. The 75-year-old Palestinian leader who had been suffering from poor health for years died Thursday in Paris, where he was taken Oct. 29 for treatment after tests showed he had a low count of blood platelets.
The intense secrecy surrounding Arafat's final days has aroused frustration in the Arab world. On Friday, Arafat's Jordanian physician called for an autopsy, saying that poisoning was a possible cause for the low platelet count.
Israeli officials have angrily denied accusations of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials promised to hold elections by Jan. 9. Jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti will run for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority, a person close to Barghouti said Saturday. Many analysts believe Barghouti would have the best chance of unifying disparate factions, reining in violence and possibly restarting peace efforts with Israel.
However, Barghouti is serving multiple life terms in an Israeli prison after being convicted of involvement in attacks that killed four Israelis and a Greek monk.
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has said Barghouti will not be released as a goodwill gesture.
On Saturday, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia prayed at Arafat's tomb with former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, the newly elected head of the PLO. The two, who appear to be working out a split leadership arrangement, walked away arm in arm.
[Last modified November 14, 2004, 00:22:07]
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