Primakov Celebrates Art Theatre Anniversary 🎭

(26 Oct 1998) Russian/Nat

Ailing Russian president Boris Yeltsin on Monday cancelled a trip to a top level summit with European Union leaders after doctors insisted he take a rest.

The Kremlin has admitted Yeltsin is suffering from symptoms that suggest nervous exhaustion, but say he will not be hospitalised.

Prime minister Yevgeny Primakov will travel to the EU-Russia summit in Vienna, Austria in Yeltsin's place.

There was a mood of gaity in Moscow on Monday night at the city's world famous Art Theatre which was holding an anniversary celebration.

As appreciative crowds enjoyed a brass band, Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov managed to arrive almost unnoticed.

Despite the party atmosphere there is concern behind the scenes - Boris Yeltsin's ailing health appears to be getting worse.

Kremlin doctors have ordered Yeltsin to cancel a trip to Austria because of unstable blood pressure and extreme fatigue.

Doctors say the 67-year Russian president is resting in his country residence outside Moscow.

Primakov will go in his place but the prime minister insists the president is just fine.

SOUNDBITE (Russian)
"Question: How important is your upcoming trip to Austria? Very important. Question: How will it be affected by the fact that you are going and not the president? I think everything will be fine. I will meet the president tomorrow morning. I already have an appointment. I think everything will be fine with him."
SUPER CAPTION: Yevgeny Primakov, Russian Prime Minister

Just a two weeks ago Yeltsin cut short a trip to Central Asia because of obvious health problems.

Monday's announcement raises new questions about his ability to stay in office.

The issue dominated conversation in the Duma or Russian parliament.

Liberal economist Grigory Yavlinsky, himself a recent victim of a mild heart attack, said Yeltsin was very weak . He said the decision to cancel the trip to Austria was inevitable.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It is not surprising - the state of health of our president is very weak. Everybody knows that. I only want to reconfirm that Mr Primakov is acting like a vice president and this is the thing which is stabilising the political situation in Russia. I think it's the right decision that Mr Primakov is going to Vienna."
SUPER CAPTION: Grigory Yavlinsky, Yabloko (Liberal Party) leader

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, the runner-up to Yeltsin in 1996's presidential elections, said it was just a continuation of Yeltsin's inability to work.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Yesterday they said he would go, now he'll hardly be going today. That all means he's in no condition to work. We talked about that a long time ago and he should stop torturing himself and his loved ones, his country, take courage and retire. You can comment and not comment but you can't plan your life one day at a time."
SUPER CAPTION: Gennady Zyuganov, Communist Party Leader

Yeltsin has been weakened by recurring health problems in recent years, including heart bypass surgery in 1996.

The president and his doctors insist he will serve out the less than two years that remain of his term.

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