WORLD IN BRIEF : YUGOSLAVIA : Communist Grip on Serbia Tightened

Serbia’s ruling Communists adopted a new constitution strengthening their control over Yugoslavia’s largest republic. The document gives greater power to its Marxist president and virtually ends autonomy for ethnic Albanians. The 136-article constitution was approved by the single-party, 250-member Serbian Assembly at a special televised session that marked a major step in the Communists’ efforts to retain power by revamping their image and exploiting rising Serbian nationalism. The republic’s first free elections in 45 years are set for Dec. 9 for the legislature and president. Six main opposition parties have threatened to boycott the voting.