Iraqi officials acknowledged that Iraqi President Jalal Talabani’s condition had been more serious than they had earlier admitted when they reported that he had, indeed, had heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic, his third recent visit to the medical complex. The same reports said he emerged with flying colors. None of the PUK’s Kurdish language newspapers, however, has had recent photographs of Talabani. Initially, press reports and statements said he would be in Iran within ten days, i.e., by Monday. But now the Persian language press is being far more vague. Let’s hope Talabani’s recovery is going well…