February 22, 1996
Web posted at: 2:20 p.m. EST (1920 GMT)
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (CNN) -- Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic was in stable condition Thursday after being hospitalized for unspecified heart problems, a Bosnian spokesman said.
However, there was no official word from hospital officials.
Ismet Grbo, a spokesman for the ruling Party for Democratic Action, said the president, who is 70, will have to remain in the hospital for an undisclosed amount of time.
Another Bosnian diplomat, Edhem Bicakcic, supported Grbo's statement by saying Izetbegovic was "out of critical condition" and "will be all right." Bicakcic said all government institutions, including the presidency, were "continuing to work normally."
Izetbegovic was taken to a Sarajevo hospital Thursday after suffering heart problems, and the state BH Press news agency said the president should be "spared all strain."
Itzetbegovic reportedly was being treated by heart specialists at Sarajevo's Kosevo clinic. Presidential security guards sealed off the building and barred access to reporters.
The president's hospitalization forced Bosnia's collective presidency, which Izetbegovic heads, to quickly convene an emergency session to decide who should be temporarily in charge. In the past, Izetbegovic has made clear that his vice president, Ejup Ganic, should fill in for him.
Contrary to earlier reports, sources in the governing party said the president has suffered from heart ailments before. The sources said Izetbegovic suffered a heart attack during Bosnia's nearly four-year war.
A source in the Swedish Foreign Ministry, who travels frequently to Sarajevo, said on condition of anonymity that Izetbegovic has not been well for a year.
Izetbegovic's health problems come at a time of renewed tensions with Bosnian Serbs over the scheduled turnover of Serb-held suburbs of Sarajevo to the Muslim-led government.
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