WORLD : Mongolia Party May Cede Power

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia — A senior Mongolian official strongly hinted today that the ruling Communist Party may relinquish its 66-year monopoly on power as a democratic group prepares to form the nation’s first opposition party.

Byraagiin Chimed also told journalists that Mongolia’s public prosecutor will launch an investigation into alleged abuses of power by former President Yumjaagiyn Tsedenbal.

The Mongolian Democratic Assn. is due to hold its first congress Sunday, at which it is widely expected to proclaim the nation’s first opposition party.

Chimed said the constitution of Mongolia’s People’s Revolutionary (Communist) Party is being rewritten and a final draft will be ready for possible ratification in June.

“I did not think there should be a line drawn between the ruling and opposition parties,” the parliamentary leader said. “The constitution should not say whether one party is better than another. The problem is that until now we have only had a single party.”