Arafat Not Suffering from Life-Threatening Condition

Although doctors at the hospital declined to comment on Arafat’s condition, an official close to the Palestinian leader said that Arafat’s X-ray results of his body and head were clean, but French doctors were continuing to test his blood. It has been reported that Arafat is not in a life-threatening condition, though contradictory reports claim he has leukemia. One of Arafat’s French doctors, speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), announced that they had diagnosed a life-threatening blood disorder and would continue conducting tests through the weekend. A Palestinian official speaking to Associated Press also noted that the possibility of Arafat having leukemia is high and a team of French specialists is continuing its examinations.

In a contrary report, Leila Shahid, the permanent Palestinian envoy to Paris, said the doctors have confirmed the medical tests have ruled out leukemia. Shahid added that Arafat’s physical and psychological condition is better. The National Security Chief, Jibril Rajoub appointed by Arafat made an announcement on Al-Jazeera TV explaining that the preliminary tests have ruled out any possibility of blood cancer and that Arafat will recover soon. Arafat is being treated in the hematology service of the French hospital, and his illness will be identified after the results of the tests and checks are clarified. It has been indicated that Arafat will stay in France for four or five weeks.

Meanwhile, 18 Palestinian officials, including the senior aide of Arafat Nabil Abu Rdainah and former security chief of Gaza Strip Mohammad Dahlan, have come to Clamart. The Palestinian leader’s wife Suha and his daughter Zahwa are also with him at the hospital. It has been reported that the Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei requested that Arafat’s treatment was done in France. Yasser Arafat had previously said in a visit to Paris in 1997: "If anything happens to me, I will call Dr. Chirac."