Russian hope

An influential ally of Boris Yeltsin said yesterday he thought the President could reach a bargain with Russia's legislature on adopting a new constitution, Reuter reports from Moscow.

Anatoly Sobchak, mayor of St Petersburg and a possible future presidential candidate, said he saw Mr Yeltsin's draft as the basis for any agreement, adding: 'The Supreme Soviet is beginning to understand that it is not the legitimate body for adopting a new constitution . . . I don't think there will be a clash.'