BORIS YELTSIN RECUPERATES FROM SEVERE COLD








MOSCOW, March 12, 2001. /From RIA Novosti correspondent Natalia Gorbunova/--Ex-Russian President Boris Yeltsin is currently recuperating from a severe cold at Barvikha, a state-owned country residence, and intends to stay there "for as long as it is needed to fully recover from the disease," said Vladimir Shevchenko, who heads the protocol department of the first Russian president.


	According to Shevchenko, Yeltsin -- who was discharged from Moscow's Central Clinic yesterday -- "feels all right and is taking walks in the open air." Earlier in the day, Yeltsin received Vladimir Putin, with whom he conversed for about 30 minutes.


	Shevchenko sharply dismissed yesterday's Internet reports that said the first president was in a critical condition.