Soviet Union: On His Doctor's Orders

For days it had been rumored that Soviet Leader Konstantin Chernenko, 73, would appear last Friday to deliver an address to his Moscow constituents. The occasion was the eve of national elections for members of the Supreme Soviets, the nominal legislative bodies of the 15 Soviet republics. Instead, the assembled delegates and a national television audience were told by Moscow Party Boss Viktor Grishin, 70, that Chernenko would not attend the meeting "on the recommendation of his doctors." It was the first formal acknowledgment to the Soviet people that Chernenko has health problems.

On Sunday, in a heavily-edited one-minute film, Soviet TV showed a pale and very feeble Chernenko voting. It was his first public appearance in two months. Nonetheless, the earlier admission fueled speculation that Chernenko, who is thought to be suffering from acute emphysema, may soon be replaced. Also significant is that Soviet newspaper accounts of last Friday's gathering deleted all references to Chernenko's role as chairman of the Defense Council. The omissions could mean that the party now wants to play down Chernenko's responsibilities.