Still, the regions and ethnic republics are pivotal in the fundamental struggle over a new constitution.

The exceptions were ethnic republics, especially in the North Caucasus.

Gradually, over time, ethnic republics were to be abolished to accomplish this goal of integration.

Considering the situation with the new ethnic republics, maybe even more.

That has pitted not only the regions against the center, but provinces against ethnic republics.

Moscow has virtually lost control over Eastern Europe and is having trouble keeping its own ethnic republics in the fold.

In fact, more than half of geographical Russia consists of ethnic republics and autonomous regions.

But beneath this central Government, as previously agreed, there will be two linked but separate ethnic republics, running their own affairs.

The last plan on the table in Geneva calls for the division of Bosnia into three ethnic republics.

But the new element likely to cause the most difficulties is a map defining the borders of the future ethnic republics.