(28 Aug 1996) Span/Eng/Nat

Nicaraguan President Violeta Chamorro is recovering in a U-S hospital after a back surgery- but debate grows at home about whether her absence could delay the October presidential elections.

67-year-old Chamorro was operated Monday at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

She was suffering from a chronic spinal infection but doctors say she is in good condition after the surgery.

Despite the back-surgery that has put Violeta Chamorro out of action, the Nicaraguan President knows she has to make a speedy recovery, in order to prevent any delay in the October presidential elections.

Over the past weeks politicians in Nicaragua have been debating whether or not to postpone the elections- a move apparently supported by five candidates who were ruled ineligible to run.

Chamorro is adamantly opposed to any delay.

She was operated on by specialist Dr John Kostuik who says they were able to stem the infection before it got any worse.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"At the time of biopsy to her very good fortune and to our relief it turned out that she had basically was a chronic infection which had significantly destroyed the back of her spine."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. John Kostuik, Chamorro's Surgeon

The president's children were at the hospital and expressed relief that the operation went well.

And they spoke of their mother's determination to get back home soon.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"She is in great spirits and is eager to return to Nicaragua because she says she still has a lot to do there. Her term is about to expire, but she wants to return the country to Nicaraguans in better shape than she received it. "
SUPERCAPTION: Christina Chamorro, Daughter of Chamorro (Spanish)

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"She is feeling great and happy that everything turned out to be fine. All the tubes and probes have been removed from her body."
SUPERCAPTION: Pedro Chamorro, Son of Chamorro (Spanish)

But the President is not in the clear just yet.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Because the bone, the infection, rather, had destroyed so much of her spine she'll probably have to undergo further reconstructive surgery a few months down the road."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. John Kostuik, Chamorro's Surgeon

Chamorro, whose election in 1990 ended ten years of leftist Sandinista rule, is not seeking another term in October, but says she is dedicated to preventing any violations of the electoral process.

There have also been rumors that presidential candidate Daniel Ortega is sick and may not be able to rule the country properly if he wins.

Rumors of his poor health spread, after Ortega's continual visits to Cuba for medical checkups.

51-year-old Ortega denies he's sick, claiming his trips are part of
a routine checkup for a previous heart condition.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
Simply since last year I undergo regular checkups, that's it, simple- just a medical checkup for a heart problem I had.
SUPER CAPTION: Daniel Ortega, Presidential Candidate- Sandinista National Liberation Front

Ortega insists he's in excellent health and that rumors of his illness are part of a campaign to discredit his party on the election campaign.

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