Dutch university says it has tribal chief's head

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch academic hospital has acknowledged it has the head of a 19th-century African tribal chief that Ghana wants returned for burial.

The Leiden University Medical Center refused to comment in October when Ghana said it had learned that the center had the head of Badu Bonsu II in its anatomical collection, and asked for it to be returned.

Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said in a note to parliament that he sympathizes with Ghana's request, and the center said on its Web site Tuesday that it is "processing" Ghana's application. It didn't say whether it plans to return the head.

The center said it would not discuss the matter further publicly.