FRENCH TERROR VICTIMS SEEK ARAFAT CRIMINAL PROBE

French terror victims seek Arafat criminal probe
The families of French victims of terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel plan to ask judicial authorities to question Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, attorney Michel Calvo said Friday.

Calvo, who represents the victims' families, said they would present their request to France's chief anti-terror judge, Jean-Louis Bruguiere. They base their claim on "murders in connection with a terrorist enterprise," Calvo told reporters in Paris.

Arafat will be treated at a military hospital just outside Paris for a still-undisclosed ailment.

"In the next few days, we are going to ask Judge Bruguiere to question Mr. Arafat, as soon as his physical condition allows it," the attorney added. France's LCI television said the families of seven French victims were involved in the action.

The pursuit of any criminal probe against Arafat is bound to complicate the French government's diplomatically sensitive decision to provide him with medical treatment.

In March of last year, the victims of Hamas attacks in Israel sought criminal charges in Paris for "murders, genocide and crimes against humanity." They named Arafat as one of those allegedly responsible.

WHAT ABOUT THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF PLO TERRORIST ATTACKS IN PARIS DURING THE 70'S AND 80'S? HOW MANY SYNAGOGUES DID THEY FIREBOMB?