Aspin Still in Hospital; Date for Work Return Uncertain

Defense Secretary Les Aspin remained in a hospital Tuesday for a third consecutive night, with aides saying it was not yet clear how soon he might be able to resume a full workload as the nation’s highest-ranking defense official.

Pentagon officials said that Aspin, 54, who was taken to the hospital late Sunday for shortness-of-breath problems related to a previous heart condition, had improved “significantly” and could be discharged this week.

But Aspin’s physicians released a statement late Tuesday saying they had inserted a catheter to monitor the secretary’s heart, which had been beating irregularly, and that the device would remain in place at least through midday today.

Although the physicians said the prognosis was for “a full recovery,” aides were reluctant to say whether Aspin would be back on the job immediately, hinting that he may require more rest at home.

As defense secretary, Aspin is the major link in the chain of command between the President and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, in issuing orders to U.S. military units.

Because of delays in the processing of Clinton Administration nominees for other senior Pentagon positions, Aspin is the only top defense official who has been confirmed by Congress and installed in office. Next in line, should Aspin be unable to function, is James R. Locher III, a holdover from the George Bush Administration who is serving as acting undersecretary of defense for policy.

In a development unrelated to Aspin’s illness, the White House formally announced the nomination of two top Defense Department officials--Frank G. Wisner as undersecretary of defense for policy and John M. Deutch as undersecretary for acquisition.

Wisner, 54, who served as undersecretary of state during the Bush Administration, will hold the department’s senior policy-making post. Deutch, also 54, who was undersecretary of energy during the Jimmy Carter Administration, will be in charge of weapons procurement.

The nominations must be confirmed by the Senate before the two can take office--a process that could take another week.

The Pentagon announced Tuesday that officials had installed a secure telephone line to Aspin’s hospital room and that he is continuing to do some work by phone. He also has conferred with key members of his staff, department officers said.

But sources said the secretary is receiving antibiotics intravenously and clearly is tired and in need of recuperation. Aspin reportedly has been pushing to get back to work quickly.

Aspin first learned of his heart problem in 1991, when he had similar symptoms during a skiing vacation in Colorado. It was diagnosed then as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle that often is present from birth.

Officials said Aspin apparently suffered an allergic reaction last Sunday after receiving injections in preparation for a trip to Somalia, scheduled for this weekend. The reaction apparently was exacerbated by the heart problem and a recent case of bronchitis. Spokesmen said the Somalia trip has been postponed.