09-11-2013, 02:42 AM
Evidence does not prove Arafat poisoning - Russian report
Updated: 10:58, Friday, 08 November 2013A Russian report quoted by Palestinian investigators has found insufficient evidence to support the theory that Yasser Arafat died in 2004 by polonium poisoning.
Samples were extracted from Arafat's corpse last November by Swiss, French and Russian experts after an al-Jazeera documentary revealed unusually high amounts of the deadly Polonium isotope on his clothes.
"The outcome of the comprehensive report on the levels of Polonium-210 and the development of his illness does not give sufficient evidence to support the decision that Polonium-210 caused acute radiation syndrome leading to death," said Dr Abdullah Bashir, quoting the conclusions of the Russian report.
But Dr Bashir said that both the Swiss and Russian reports found "large amounts" of the radioactive isotope in his remains.
The Russian findings were significantly more cautious than Swiss conclusions, published this week, which said that its tests "moderately support the proposition that the death was the consequence of poisoning with Polonium-210".
Arafat, a guerrilla leader who became the first Palestinian president, contracted a sudden and mysterious illness while surrounded by Israeli tanks in his compound in Ramallah.
Palestinians have long blamed Israel for his death, a charge it denies, but a local investigation committee has made little tangible progress in explaining the case.
Israel and the Palestinians resumed peace talks in July to try to resolve their long conflict and live side-by-side in two sovereign states.
Separately, Palestinians have said Israel is the "only suspect" in the death.
"We say that Israel is the prime and only suspect in the case of Yasser Arafat's assassination, and we will continue to carry out a thorough investigation to find out and confirm all the details and all elements of the case," Palestinian inquiry chief Tawfiq Tirawi said.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1108/485425-...ng-russia/
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"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.