World Notes SOVIET UNION

As if Mikhail Gorbachev didn't have enough problems, another epidemic of ethnic rioting broke out last week, this time in the Central Asian republic of Kirgizia. Fighting between Kirghiz and members of the Uzbek minority in the town of Osh began as a dispute over housing, then spread along the border with Uzbekistan and into Kirgizia's capital, Frunze. After five days, at least 78 people had been killed and almost 400 injured, many shot by police. A state of emergency was declared.

The crisis of nationalism is destined to grow worse. Led by Gorbachev's nemesis, Boris Yeltsin, the parliament of the Russian Federation voted 544-271 for a draft resolution giving Russia the right to override the laws of the Soviet Union. When Yeltsin was elected head of the Russian government two weeks ago, he promised to declare "sovereignty" over the republic's economy and resources. If the bill is enacted, it will bring Russia into conflict with the Soviet constitution, and Yeltsin head to head with Gorbachev.