Asthenic Syndrome

However, nature had its way. A council of physicians was called to approve the visit which would be first shortened and then called off. The verdict sounded unusual: asthenia. Even without a detailed explanation rendered on some of the Russian television channels it is clear that Boris Yeltsin's physical strength has been dramatically depleted, meaning inevitable retirement, even though "preliminary" at this stage. On the other hand, if the giant gets exhausted, does this mean that the dwarves get taller? Will the Russian political elite allow the ailing President to live at the Gorky Soviet government retreat where Lenin died, until 2000 or will it start circling the still warm Presidential seat now, forgetting all about the financial crisis, the government's incapacity, and economic decline, remembering only that the King is dead, long live the King?

Only time will tell what Russia was all about at the transitional stage, still with Boris Yeltsin but no longer ruled by him. The worst that could happen would be Mr. Yeltsin's pathological weakness spreading over society as a whole, confused by economic hardships and paralyzed political power, with the medical notion of asthenic syndrome becoming the final political diagnosis. There is at present no one capable of curing Russia of its asthenia, because its chief political physician over the past several years is in a bad shape and needs help and sympathy.