Russian premier "tired out" but not ill: Russian report

Russian government spokesman Igor Shabdurasulov said on Thursday that Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin was "tired out" by a recent trip to Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, but was not ill, and he deplored the tendency to sensationalize unfounded rumours, Russia TV reported.

"Well, you know, I find it difficult even to comment on obvious stupidities," Shabdurasulov said, in remarks broadcast by the TV.

"You see, we came back very late last night, it was more like early this morning, but there have been no problems with Chernomyrdin's health.

"There is, of course, no denying that he was really tired out, because the negotiations in Turkmenia and Tajikistan had been very lengthy.

"I would even go so far as to describe them as exhausting.

"Nonetheless, the chairman of the government is today working with documents at his country residence," he added.

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