A conference of chairmen of local soviets was held in Moscow on Nov. 14-15.

There, the conflict between executive and legislative bodies, in the form of Yeltsin-appointed governors and local soviets, will continue, he indicated.

The local, republic and national soviets or legislative councils (which gave the system its name) have never had any real power.

Mr. Yeltsin's lieutenants indicated that he might dissolve all regional and local soviets, or councils.

The local soviets choose their delegates for their district soviet.

In theory, citizens selected the candidates for election to local soviets.

He said the program would be open for "broad discussion at work collectives and in local soviets," or councils.

This is to be the party's platform for the elections to republican and local soviets early next year.

Everything was run through the system of local, regional, and central soviets, which were all controlled by the Communist Party.

The election period, which will last about six months, was launched yesterday in Estonia and Latvia, where voters elected local soviets.