Yeltsin sends his apologies to the Irish

Dublin - Russian President Boris Yeltsin apologised yesterday for staying on his aircraft when it arrived in Ireland a week ago, leaving Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds waiting to greet him. Russian and Irish officials at Shannon airport tried to hide their embarrassment and said that Mr Yeltsin, who was on his way from the United States, was not well. When he arrived in Moscow, Mr Yeltsin told reporters it had all been a mistake and bodyguards had not allowed anyone to wake him. But British newspapers suggested Mr Yeltsin had been drunk. Mr Reynolds had now received a letter from Mr Yeltsin expressing his 'sincere regret' over what happened. In his letter, Mr Yeltsin confirmed an invitation to Mr Reynolds to visit Russia. Reuter