Deep division

Aides to President Boris Yeltsin conceded yesterday that his constitutional convention was deeply divided and would not be able to reach quick agreement on a legal blueprint for post-Soviet Russia, AP reports from Moscow.

But Mr Yeltsin, far from admitting defeat, gave an upbeat television address and congratulated the nation on avoiding civil war. Through a referendum and the constitutional convention, he said, Russia was taking 'a peaceful, civilised path to solving problems'.