Gorbachev Slowed by a Slight Cold

Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, who appears to have skipped two important meetings, has a slight cold, his spokesman said Thursday.

However, this is unlikely to seriously disrupt his work schedule, he added.

Gorbachev, 59, called off a meeting Wednesday with Lithuanian Prime Minister Kazimiera Prunskiene, and Soviet television did not show him appearing Thursday among leaders at the opening of a conference of Moscow city Communists.

“As far as we know it is a simple cold, but it is not likely to affect his future plans,” an official said.