I write on behalf of Ms Suha Arafat with reference to the article that appeared on page 7 of The Malta Independent on Sunday on 31 January entitled “Yasser Arafat’s secret archive – a ticking bomb – or why Suha Arafat can never leave Malta”.

To set the record straight and for clarity’s sake, I would like to bring the following facts to your attention:

1. First and foremost there is no deal and there has never been a deal with Mahmoud Abbas over Arafat’s assets.

2. As a matter of fact, Suha Arafat was never awarded “the colossal stipend of $80 million per annum”.

3. There is no contract between my client and the Palestinian Authority, and therefore there is no restriction on her to speak or divulge any information about her late husband, as inaccurately alleged in your article.

4. She is not in exile on the island of Malta and she frequently travels to and from Malta.

5. She has no joint bank account with the Palestinian Authority.

6. She has nothing to do with the mentioned archive, as this is the property of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people.

Dr Joe Mifsud

NAXXAR