"Whatever the conclusion of the referendum, the union will not fall apart," he said.

Advocates said that if could not be agreed to, the union would fall apart somehow.

This happened only a few years before the Soviet Union fell apart into 15 countries.

The union fell apart after Louis died in 1382.

But before the Soviet Union fell it was finally being brought under control, through major government effort and expense.

Tensions were therefore bound to arise and the union fell apart.

The Soviet Union fell apart into its different republics without much fighting in 1990.

How is it that the Soviet Union suddenly fell into the hands of such a pleasant fellow?

After the Soviet Union fell, we sent in economists with privatization plans.

With minor exceptions, the Soviet Union fell apart in peace.