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Questions over Chirac's health

Vaiju Naravane

PARIS: French President Jacques Chirac continued to be hospitalised on Sunday for a "minor vascular incident" that caused him eye trouble and blurred vision and doctors said he would remain in hospital for a week.

Late Sunday, doctors said his condition was ``very satisfactory''.

Mr. Chirac's busy schedule has been cancelled including a trip to Germany on Tuesday to help the electoral campaign of his friend German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

The weekly Cabinet meeting next Wednesday will be presided over by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and be held at his office instead of the Elysee presidential palace.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is to visit France for a three-day official visit starting September 11 and the presidential office here assured the advance party in Paris that the "visit would go ahead as planned."

The President's office has downplayed his health problems.

Mr. Chirac was taken to hospital on Friday night. But the news was announced only at 1.00 pm on Saturday by Mr. de Villepin.

French Presidents under the present Fifth Republic established in 1958 have been notoriously secretive about their health.

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