(14 Jan 1998) Natural Sound
Russian President Boris Yeltsin is trying to reassure his countrymen that he is healthy and active while on his two-week holiday outside Moscow.
Yeltsin appeared before cameras for the second day in a row while vacationing in Valdai, where he took a walk through the snow with First Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov and played with his grandson.
The outing and Kremlin statements about the president's good health seem to be an attempt to allay anxiety among the public, who until now had not seen Yeltsin since his holiday began on January 4.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that President Boris Yeltsin was feeling good and "full of energy" while relaxing on vacation in Valdai, northwest of Moscow.
That is the message the Kremlin and the president seemed eager to convey in his latest holiday outing with television cameras in tow.
Yeltsin, wrapped up in a winter coat and hat, took a stroll through the snowy forest surroundings with First Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov.
On Tuesday, Yeltsin made his first public appearance since his holiday began in early January when he met with Nemtsov and took a spin in the snow on a snowmobile.
The heavy public relations campaign was all part of an attempt to reassure the Russian public - and perhaps the world - that the 66-year-old president is in good health.
Yeltsin had virtually disappeared from public view during his holiday, which Kremlin officials realised had begun to cause concern in the light of the leader's recent poor health.
The Russian president underwent heart surgery just 14 months ago and recently recovered from a reported bout of flu.
Yeltsin made no comments during the outing with Nemtsov, but his spokesman said the president has been keeping on top of international events and Russian affairs during his holiday.
During their stroll, the two men were joined by Yeltsin's daughter, Tatyana, and his young grandson, Gleb.
His daughter and grandson flew to Valdai on Tuesday to join Yeltsin and planned to remain there until the president finishes his vacation.
Yeltsin appeared to enjoy playing the role of the doting grandfather as he watched young Gleb play with a shovel in the snow.
He even had a wave for the cameras.
The Kremlin said the president plans to end his vacation in the next few days and will return to Moscow - and back to work - on Monday.
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