International The debts and assets of Yugoslavia have been inherited by five successor republics, the I.M.F. declared.

By contrast, the Soviet Union's transition was much more problematic and its successor republics faced a sharp decline in GDP during the early 1990s.

Washington argued that partition would set a bad example, especially for the successor republics of the former Soviet Union, where ethnic violence was already spreading.

That means diplomatic recognition for four successor republics, Administration officials said.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, national airlines emerged in the 15 successor republics.

In many of the successor republics tension and conflict between presidential government and assembly is frequent, as well as public disagreements within the government itself.

Likewise, the presidents of at least some of the successor republics cannot rely on firm support from their assemblies on all issues.

The successor republics have systems analogous to the American system, with government ministers and committees of advisers.

This applies equally to the United States, Britain and the old Soviet Union and its successor republics.

The fund is asking each successor republic to declare within one month whether it agrees to the assigned share, but allows for arbitration in the event of disagreement.