WIFE'S ILLNESS FORCES GORBACHEV TO CANCEL STOPS OUTSIDE VIRGINIA

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 13, 1993                   TAG: 9304130196
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short
WIFE'S ILLNESS FORCES GORBACHEV TO CANCEL STOPS OUTSIDE VIRGINIA
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev canceled two scheduled appearances after his fatigued wife, Raisa, entered a hospital for tests Monday.
Raisa Gorbachev, who suffered a stroke two years ago, underwent tests at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. She left the hospital by late afternoon.
"She needs some rest," said Gorbachev spokesman Alexander Likhotal.
"The situation is not dangerous," he said. "I understand she will need prolonged treatment, but this will be done back in Moscow."
Likhotal said he didn't have details about Raisa Gorbachev's illness.
Gorbachev received an honorary degree at Virginia Commonwealth University on Monday, then canceled appearances scheduled for Monday night in Charlotte, N.C., and Wednesday at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y.
Likhotal said Gorbachev and his wife still planned to appear today in Charlottesville for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson at the Jefferson home, Monticello.
At Virginia Commonwealth, the president of the former Soviet Union was swarmed by Russian students after the degree ceremony.
"I wouldn't be here if Gorbachev didn't do any reforms in Russia," said Karsten Stanislav, a graduate student in microbiology at the Medical College of Virginia.
Since leaving office, Gorbachev has earned hefty speaking fees and will get $125,000 for his Virginia appearances. b

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB