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Aide: Yeltsin health has improved

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November 8, 1995
Web posted at: 3:25 p.m. EST (2025 GMT)

MOSCOW (CNN) -- Russian President Boris Yeltsin's chief aide told CNN Wednesday that Yeltsin is doing well as he recovers from a heart ailment. "I saw that the president was in much better condition than he had been a few days ago and that causes me to be optimistic, although (doctors say) recovery won't be as speedy as we all wish," Victor Ilyushin said after visiting Yeltsin at Moscow's Central Clinic Hospital.

Separately, Yeltsin's press secretary told reporters that the Russian leader has increased his workload, and is holding hospital meetings with government officials.

In the interview, Ilyushin also said there is no need for Yeltsin to transfer power to Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, and said Chernomyrdin has ample access to the president. And the aide criticized Western intelligence sources who have attempted to assess Yeltsin's health. "I am amazed at the conclusions drawn by the people who are so far away from Moscow without talking with any of the doctors who are actually treating the Russian president," Ilyushin said. "It is tactless to openly report such conclusions."

Ilyushin said suggestions that Western doctors should evaluate Yeltsin's condition "underestimate the medical capabilities of Russian doctors ... who are able to make the necessary decisions if called upon to do so."

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