Last update - 00:00 31/10/2006
Katsav: Hospital visit was for periodical checkup, I feel fine
By Ran Reznik and Jonatan Lis, Haaretz Correspondents, and The Associated Press
Following reports of suffering from chest pains, President Moshe Katsav on Wednesday said he was checked into hospital to undergo standard periodical tests.
"From time to time I run tests like any other person," Katsav said. "I did not have any pressure on the heart. I came to a standard checkup that was scheduled a long time ago. The last test I had was eight years ago, and (Tuesday's) results are even better," he said
On Tuesday it was reported that Katsav was taken to a Jerusalem hospital for medical tests after complaining of chest pains.
Health Minister Yaacov Ben Izri was informed of the testing by a senior ministry official.
Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem, apparently under directions from senior Katsav aides, declined to comment on the testing, which took place at the hospital's Heart Institute.
Hospital spokeswoman Yael Bossem-Levy referred numerous Haaretz inquiries regarding Katsav's health to the President's Residence.
Katsav instructed his aides to avoid calls from journalists regarding his health.
Presidential staffers did not return calls until late Tuesday night. Katsav advisor Avi Granot said he didn't know of any medical testing or any illness the president was suffering, but added he could not rule out
routine medical tests. The President's Residence later commented that the "president's condition is good."
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has recommended that Katsav step down from his ceremonial post while authorities investigate charges of rape and aggravated sexual assault against several women who worked for Katsav
during his tenure as president and, before that, as a cabinet minister.