Izetbegovic Spends Quiet Night in Hospital,
His Condition Said to be 'Slightly Improved'
SARAJEVO—Bosnia's 70-year-old President Alija Izetbegovic has been taken off the critical list at Sarajevo's Kosevo clinic where he was rushed on Thursday due to what Bosnian media called "sudden heart troubles."
"The President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia Herzegovina has been taken to the clinic this morning for examination and treatment," Bosnian radio said, "The health condition of President Izetbegovic demands that he is spared all strain. A doctors' consortium was formed... to take charge of treatment and recovery. Simply, after four years of strenuous work, our president deserves a holiday. This time, the holiday will be under doctor's observation."
Government Functioning Normally
Izetbegovic heads Bosnia’s collective presidency which was quickly convened an emergency session. ButEdhem Bicakcic, vice president of the ruling Party for Democratic Action, said that Izetbegovic "will be all right. All institutions—the presidency, the assemblies and the party—are continuing to work normally," he said.
Izetbegovic has made it clear that he would like his vice president and close ally, Ejup Ganic, to take over his duties if he were ever unable to function.
Ismet Grbo, a spokesman for the party, said the president was in stable condition, but would have to remain hospitalized for an unspecified time.
Sources close to the president said Izetbegovic suffered a heart attack during Bosnia’s war. A source in the Swedish Foreign Ministry who travels frequently to Sarajevo said that Izetbegovic has not been well for a year.
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