THE GOVERNMENT yesterday played down rumours President Demetris Christofias was in London for anything other than a simple medical examination.
Despite press reports that Christofias was due to have microsurgery to open a blood vessel, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said the president was in the UK for medical tests and would be back on Sunday.
Stefanou refused to divulge any further information regarding the nature of the visit.
“It is a personal matter, the president said he is going abroad for tests, full stop,” he said.
“If the president wishes to say anything else on the matter he will do so. He has already made statements about his trip.”
On Thursday, following his visit with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, told newsmen he was going to London “for personal reasons”. His comment was made following questions regarding when he would meet with the community leaders of Astromeritis and Pyrgos as part of the ongoing negotiations to open the checkpoint at Limnitis in the Tylliria region of the Nicosia district.
“If you want, I’m going to have a test (medical) and when I return I promise to meet the community leaders,” he said.
In spite of the president’s seemingly innocent comment, Sigma television reported that Thursday’s talks had almost been postponed because of Christofias’ ill health.
The private news channel said the president had experienced sharp pain in his right hand caused by osteoarthritis on Wednesday night. In order to attend the talks he had to go to a private clinic for medication, said Sigma.
The president allegedly insisted on attending the meeting so as not provoke speculation regarding his health. He later made the comment regarding his private trip to London, the second in two weeks.
Nevertheless observers said the president had looked “a little unwell” during his meeting with Talat on Thursday and that he had not been wearing a tie.
“He also appears to have lost some weight,” one onlooker said.
Sigma said Christofias’ microsurgery had nothing to do with his heart and that he was not expected to be admitted to hospital following the minor procedure.
