STATEMENT OF MARK CORALLO, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGARDING THE MEDICAL CONDITION OF
ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT:

“On the afternoon of Thursday, March 4, 2004, Attorney General John Ashcroft cancelled a scheduled appearance in Alexandria, Virginia, to announce the verdicts in a terrorism case, believing he had a stomach flu. He went home and when the condition worsened, he was visited by White House Physician Daniel Parks, M.D. who advised that he go to the emergency room.

“Early Thursday evening, Attorney General Ashcroft was brought to the emergency room of the George Washington University Hospital for evaluation of stomach complaints. After a full medical work up in the emergency room, it was determined that he was suffering from a severe case of Gallstone Pancreatitis. He was admitted to intensive care for careful monitoring and is being treated with antibiotics.

“Doctors expect to know more within 48 hours.”

Medical updates will be posted online as they become available at <http://www.gwhospital.com>.

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