Nephew gets Arafat's medical records

France gave Yasser Arafat’s medical records to his nephew today, despite objections from the late Palestinian leader’s widow.

“The dossier was given to the nephew,” said General Christian Estripeau, a spokesman for the French military’s health services. Arafat died on November 11 at a Paris-area military hospital.

Since then rumours have grown over the cause of death, including rumours of poisoning, AIDS and cirrhosis of the liver.

Estripeau said the hospital’s director gave the records to Arafat’s nephew, Nasser al-Kidwa, who is also the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations.

Arafat’s widow, Suha, who already has taken possession of his medical records, had threatened a legal fight to prevent other family members from obtaining them.

Her lawyers issued a statement last night saying that the military hospital where her husband was treated outside Paris “would alone face the consequences” if his medical records were released to any other family members.

“Madame Arafat fully understands the diplomatic and historic reasons that exist, but that does not mean the state should be able to ignore the law,” said the lawyers’ statement.