Peltier's bad eye tended to by Soviet doctors

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Leonard Peltier, former American Indian Movement activist, recently had two Soviet eye specialists examine his left eye.

Peltier, who is serving two life sentences in Leavenworth federal penitentary for the shooting deaths of two FBI agents, said he had not received proper medical treatment from prison doctors and had nearly lost all sight in that eye.

Peltier said that he is aware that the visit by the Soviets might be used as propaganda against the United States. "I'm grateful that they (Soviet doctors) are willing to treat me," said Peltier. "If it will help bring medical treatment to mankind, both here and the Soviet Union, they can use it for all the propaganda they want."

Prison officials refused to comment on the visit by Soviet doctors, except to say the doctors could see Peltier.

"That's our policy," said William White, acting executive assistant at the Texas prison. "We're not going to explain it."