Top-Ranking Soviet Defector Collapses

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —  The highest-ranking Soviet official to defect to the United States collapsed during a speech and was reported in fair condition Thursday at a hospital.

Arkady N. Shevchenko, who was undersecretary general at the United Nations for the Soviet Union from 1973 to 1978, was taken to St. Vincent’s Medical Center after becoming ill Wednesday night during a talk at the Florida Community College here.

Shevchenko, 57, author of the best-selling “Breaking With Moscow,” had problems with an ulcer in the past, hospital spokesman Bob Arnold said. It was not yet known, however, if the ulcer caused Shevchenko to collapse. He defected to the United States 10 years ago.