Russia's leader shows world a healthy face

Yeltsin takes country air as prelude to discharge

Moscow (AP) - President Boris Yeltsin's motorcade was spotted returning to the Kremlin hospital yesterday from the country resort of Barvikha, where he is expected to recuperate later this week after his discharge from the hospital.

Mr Yeltsin's surgeon, Dr Renat Akchurin, said the President had planned to take a one-hour stroll in the country.

The conductor and cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich, a pro-minent Yeltsin supporter, said he had spoken to the President by telephone and that his voice has changed since the surgery.