Estonia's deeply split Communist Party convened Friday to discuss the republic's independence drive and the possibility of the party's splitting with Moscow.

A draft program presented to the party congress said the party supports "the independence of the Estonian state on the basis of the free expression of the people's will, with due account for processes taking place in the Soviet Union and Europe," the Soviet news agency Tass said.However, the program described the road toward that goal as "an arduous and controversial process that requires . . . legal foundation and the establishment of a solid economic and social basis."

It said Estonian independence should "proceed through negotiations between Estonia and the Soviet Union," Tass said.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.