WORLD IN BRIEF : YUGOSLAVIA : Nation on Verge of Collapse, Jovic Says

President Borisav Jovic said Yugoslavia is headed for a bloody abyss and total collapse unless its six republics quickly solve a deep political and economic crisis. Jovic told the federal Parliament in an address that he backs plans to hold a referendum to decide whether Yugoslavia should remain centrally ruled or become a looser union--the key issue dividing the republics. But he said talks among republic leaders have made less progress than expected; law and order is breaking down, and the work of the central government has been blocked by republics.