Israel says Arafat can leave compound for medical check

(26 Oct 2004) Ramallah, West Bank 1. Various exterior shots of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's compound 2. Arafat's top advisor Nabil Abu Rudeineh 3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Advisor to Yasser Arafat: "First of all, I have to assure you that the health of President Arafat is well. All that he is in need of is a little bit of rest, he is a bit exhausted, he is (has) suffered a severe cold situation. So far he is recovering, but he is still in need of some rest. We didn't approach the Israelis nor any other party for his departure from here. He is staying in Ramallah, in his country and his Palestinian and Tunisian and Egyptian doctors are around, and he is doing well so far. (Inaudible question.) I just told you, we didn't approach the Israelis, we didn't approach any other party in this world. He is okay and he is living in Ramallah and he is staying in al-Muqata (Arafat's compound) so far. (Inaudible question.) Maybe tomorrow with his guests, tomorrow, tomorrow." 4. Wide of Rudeineh walking away 5. Various of entrance to hospital 6. Reception area inside hospital 7. Painting of Arafat on wall 8. Sign for hospital outside 9. Wide shot of hospital Jerusalem 10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Avraham Shohat, Labour party and Knesset member: "I think we had to adhere to the request, and therefore I do not give it more importance than what it is really. It is a humanitarian gesture." 11. Shohat speaking in corridor 12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Modi Zandberg, Shinui party and Knesset member: "No doubt that humanitarian (aspect) is very important, but Arafat needs to be treated in a different way to the average person. I am in favour of assisting any person in this world. Arafat is a mass killer, his hands are covered with the blood of Israeli children, innocent people, and I think that he should not be considered as a normal, regular person." 13. Zandberg walking away STORYLINE: Israel gave Yasser Arafat permission on Monday to briefly leave his compound to receive medical treatment in the West Bank city of Ramallah, heightening concerns the Palestinian leader is seriously ill. Palestinian officials said Arafat was recovering from a lengthy bout of the flu, but was feeling better and would not accept Israel's offer. One of his advisers, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said: "We didn't approach the Israelis nor any other party for his departure from here." The decision by Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz would allow Arafat to leave the Muqata, his compound in the city, for the first time in two and a half years, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. Arafat would be allowed to go to a Ramallah hospital for medical checks on condition that he returns to his compound afterward, the statement said. Israel said the permission for Arafat to leave was granted in response to a request by Palestinian officials, a statement the Palestinians swiftly denied. Israel's MPs seemed divided in their response. Arafat, 75, has a medical clinic in the compound and his health has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks after separate teams of Tunisian and Egyptian doctors were flown in to examine him. The Israeli media, quoting anonymous Israeli officials, said Arafat may be suffering from more than the flu, with some reports saying he is ill with stomach cancer. Arafat aides said he fell ill two weeks ago, suffering from fever, nausea and a stuffy nose. He has been feeling better in recent days, has resumed eating and even presided over a lively meeting of his national security council Sunday, Palestinian officials said. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...