MOSCOW : Back to Basics

The special assembly that President Boris N. Yeltsin has charged with forging a new draft constitution for Russia reconvenes Saturday.

The 700-member assembly, composed of politicians, business leaders, priests and others, has only inched forward so far toward Yeltsin’s goal of a single draft that he can then present to the Russian people.

The delegates have agreed on a statement of basic principles, including guarantees of human rights, respect for private property and a revamped legislative system. But many issues remain, including how much power the center will give up to the provinces.