Minor heart op for Denktash

TURKISH Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday underwent a minor heart operation in Ankara, reports from Turkey said.

The treatment, which involved inflating tiny balloons inside the 73-year old leader’s blood vessels to reduce blockages, went well and Denktash was in good health ‘officials’ in the north said.

Following a recent heavy dose of the flu, Denktash began suffering from an irregular heartbeat and was laid up for several days.

He was advised to rest and undergo a cardiogram as soon as possible.

Denktash was initially to have his operation earlier in the week, but postponed his trip to Turkey in order to meet UN special envoy Diego Cordovez.

Yesterday Cordovez thanked Denktash for putting off his trip.

“He was kind enough to postpone his operation,” Cordovez told Greek and Turkish Cypriot reporters in Nicosia.

“We had many hours of useful talks and I wish him an early recovery.”

Denktash suffered a heart attack in February last year and was treated in Turkey.

He has gone there for regular check-ups since.

He was also laid up in September and cancelled all his appointments for four days due to a leg inflammation.

The Turkish Cypriot leader has been diagnosed as diabetic and was put on a strict diet over a year ago.

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