Stroke killed Arafat, but rapid decline still a mystery

JERUSALEM— A stroke caused the death of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat last year, but French doctors were unable to determine an underlying cause of health problems that sent him into a rapid decline, according to a summary of their medical report. The inconclusive findings of the medical assessment, whose contents were first reported in detail yesterday by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz and The New York Times, may add to the intrigue surrounding Arafat’s deterioration and death. The 75-year-old Palestinian leader died in a French military hospital outside Paris on Nov. 11 after falling ill at his compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Many Palestinian leaders believe Arafat was poisoned by Israel, although The Times said its review of the medical report deemed poisoning “ highly unlikely.” The newspaper said the documents also dispelled theories Arafat died of AIDS.

Israel has steadfastly denied any role in Arafat’s death and did so again yesterday.

“ Israel was not in any way involved in what happened with Arafat. The Palestinians know this. The Arabs know this. Arafat’s family knows this,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. “ This matter is inflammatory . . . and I think it is important that this be taken off the agenda immediately.”

Arafat’s doctors were unable to pinpoint the source of an infection that caused a bleeding disorder that triggered the stroke, the Times reported. One possibility, it said, was food contaminated with bacteria.