Prospect Of More Political Instability

To minimise risks, it will take six to eight weeks to prepare him for surgery to improve the blood supply to the heart, the team of doctors said.

The delay opens up a prospect of more political uncertainty about Yeltsin's grip on power. Mikhail Gorbachev, last President of the Soviet Union, promptly urged him to resign, saying illness had prevented him from working for many months.

The group, responsible for a medical procedure with huge political ramifications, saw Yeltsin during a meeting which lasted about three hours.

The doctors' council, which included pioneering US heart surgeon Michael DeBakey, was earlier expected to set a date and conditions for heart bypass surgery.

 

DeBakey told reporters that after reviewing all facts I am pleased to say that the operation is needed, that it shall provide excellent results.

After the operation the President will soon be restored to normal.

Yeltsin has been in hospital since September 13 and aides say doctors are conducting tests and preparing him for a bypass operation.

His prolonged absence from the Kremlin has fuelled speculation about political intrigues and a possible struggle for influence between Lebed, who makes no secret of his presidential ambitions, and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.

Kremlin officials have condemned the rumour-mongering as indecent and say the President is in full control of affairs of state, working on documents for up to 2-1/2 hours a day.

Yeltsin himself has said surgery is needed if he is to lead an active political life. The operation, which usually involves bypassing damaged arteries with ones from the leg, is common.

The risk of dying is about five per cent in Russia, but doctors say it could be greater for Yeltsin if he has serious liver or kidney problems which have not been disclosed. Russian officials have said DeBakey, 88, is advising the Russian team but will not take part in the operation itself.

Chief surgeon Renat Akchurin on Tuesday ruled out cancelling the surgery