Doctors treating President Yeltsin say he should spend another five to seven days in the sanatorium where he is recovering from a chest infection. They also said his current illness was not affecting his heart which was functioning normally.

Mr Yeltsin underwent heart by-pass surgery thirteen months ago and since then the state of his health has been a cause of frequent speculation.

The President himself has resumed his regular Friday radio broadcasts to the Russian nation. Sounding slightly hoarse in his pre-recorded address, President Yeltsin spoke for ten minutes, mostly about the eightieth anniversary on Saturday of the Soviet intelligence services.

In the past, the Kremlin has often released video footage of the speech being recorded, but not on this occassion.

On Thursday, he told journalists that he felt fine and would be returning to work on Friday.

But the Kremlin later issued a correction, saying Mr Yeltsin would in fact remain at the sanatorium for the time being.

Rob Parsons, the BBC's Moscow correspondent, says Yeltsin is itching to get back to work.

Rob Parsons, the BBC's Moscow correspondent, says Yeltsin is itching to get back to work.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©