Clinton has undergone two surgeries in the past nine months.
Clinton has undergone two surgeries in the past nine months.
MALE, Maldives -- Former President Clinton has canceled his trip to tsunami-hit areas of Maldives because of exhaustion, a U.N. official said Saturday.
Cherie Hart, spokesman for the U.N. Development Program and coordinator of Clinton's visit, said the former president, who underwent a heart bypass operation in September, was not sick. In March, surgeons successfully removed fluid and scar tissue from his chest cavity.
"He's plain pooped and he wants to slow the schedule down," Hart said.
Not touring wreckage
Clinton, recently appointed U.N. special envoy for tsunami recovery, will keep his scheduled appointments in the Maldives but will not tour areas devastated by December's giant wave, Hart said.
The former president's spokesman said Clinton was "doing fine."
"The staff is exhausted but he's doing fine," Jim Kennedy said, adding that Clinton would continue with four meetings and a press availability in the Maldives today, and then go to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Monday.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Clinton in February to be the world body's point man for tsunami reconstruction, but his March operation forced him to delay taking the job. Clinton said in April he could undertake any activities, and doctors told him his stamina should return.
Clinton is in the midst of a visit to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.
He appeared tired on arriving in the Indian Ocean archipelago from Sri Lanka late Saturday. He met for 45 minutes with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom before taking a speed boat on choppy seas to the luxury resort of Kurumba, about 10 minutes away.
Hart said Clinton likely would not meet with tsunami survivors in the country.
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