Cheney pacemaker operation 'goes well'

US Vice-President Dick Cheney has had a special pacemaker implanted in his chest.

President George W Bush says he has been told the operation went well.

Mr Bush made the announcement during a news conference at Camp David, Maryland, with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He said he planned to talk with his Vice-President later.

The President said he did not think Mr Cheney needed to curtail his duties because of his health problems, which have included four heart attacks in 25 years.

Responding to a question, Mr Bush said: "No, I don't think he ought to slow down. I think he ought to listen to his body, which he has been doing."

Mr Bush added that Mr Cheney should listen to the advice of his doctors, and said he expected the Vice-Presisndet to be back to work on Monday.

Mr Cheney, accompanied by his wife and daughter, smiled and waved to reporters as he walked into George Washington University Hospital earlier today.

Asked whether he was anticipating an easy day, the Vice-President said: "Yes I am. But you never know until it's over."

The examination Mr Cheney underwent checks the heart from the inside, analysing the electrical waves that control the beat rhythm. Thin wires with sensors are threaded through a vein into the heart.

Mr Cheney, 60, said he did not expect his latest bout of heart trouble to affect his ability to continue as Vice-President, but that he would "follow my doctors' advice in that regard".