Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, 74, was flown to a hospital in Amman, Jordan, after being overcome by fatigue from an intense workload, his office confirmed in late February 2007.
His son Qubad Talabani pushed back against circulating reports, telling CNN that claims of a heart attack or stroke were entirely without basis. His father had boarded and exited his aircraft without assistance and was eating and communicating normally.
The family said Jordan was chosen because northern Iraq lacked the medical facilities needed for thorough diagnostic testing. Talabani had departed from Sulaimaniyah before the transfer.
The US government assisted with the trip, providing a medically equipped C-130 military transport aircraft. A senior US administration official, speaking anonymously, confirmed: "We did help with transportation on a medically-equipped C-130."
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in February 2007, in its own words.