Report of President’s Ill Health Denied

Vietnam broke an official silence over the health of President Le Duc Anh, responding to reports that the 75-year-old general had suffered a stroke with a brief explanation that he was tired. “What we know is that President Le Duc Anh is tired and . . . needs a rest,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Political and diplomatic sources said Anh is paralyzed on one side. They said doctors are not optimistic that he will recover sufficiently to resume his presidential duties. One source, who declined to be named, said the president had regained consciousness and had already asked to be allowed to return to work.