Mandela Undergoes Minor Surgery; Trip to U.S. Unaffected

African National Congress leader Nelson R. Mandela underwent minor surgery and will remain in the hospital for a couple of days for needed rest, the clinic’s director said today, but his scheduled visit to the United States is still on.

“Mr. Mandela will be here a couple of days and is resting--which he needs,” said Gordon Cohen, director of the Park Lane Clinic, to which the ANC deputy president was admitted Sunday night for a routine physical.

He did not specify what type of surgery the 71-year-old Mandela underwent.

Mandela’s wife, Winnie, visited him today and told reporters Mandela’s planned trip to Europe and the United States next month is “in no way affected and would go ahead.”