51.   The South African Government said Wednesday it welcomed news of the successful completion of cardiac surgery on Boris Yeltsin and wished the Russian president a speedy recovery.

52.   Yeltsin admitted on Thursday he had heart disease and will have cardiac surgery at the end of the month, breaking an official veil of secrecy over his health.

53.   Some reports said he had been hospitalised in mid-August for heart problems and may even have undergone cardiac surgery.