YELTSIN CANCELS ALL MEETINGS.

Russian president Boris Yeltsin has canceled all business meetings, and preparations for his heart surgery have entered the final phase. This does not mean that Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin has already taken over the duties of head of state, presidential spokesman Sergei Yastrzhembsky stressed yesterday. In other words, Yeltsin wants to hold onto the nuclear button until the last minute. (RTR, October 28)

Russian Budget Gets Unethusiastic Reception.