Greek Premier’s Condition Still Near Critical

Doctors fed Andreas Papandreou through a tube inserted into his abdomen Saturday in hopes the Greek premier will gain weight.

Papandreou remained on a kidney machine but doctors were trying to wean him from a respirator that has assisted his breathing since Tuesday. He has been heavily sedated since then.

“Over the past 24 hours the premier’s condition is unchanged,” said Dr. Grigoris Skalkeas, one of 15 doctors treating the premier at a hospital outside Athens. He previously described that condition as slightly better than critical.

Papandreou, 76, has lost considerable weight since he was hospitalized with pneumonia on Nov. 20, but his doctors would not say how much.

The premier has been in frail health since the heart surgery, and has kept public appearances to a minimum since his return to power in 1993. He also served as premier from 1981 to 1989.