Rada speaker against holding referendum on amending Constitution under current conditions

12:58

Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn has cautioned against holding a referendum on amendments to Ukraine's constitution in the current political conditions.

The speaker said this at a briefing on Thursday, while commenting on President Viktor Yuschenko's statement that if the draft amendments to the constitution prepared by the Regions Party and the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko are submitted to the parliament, the president will call a nationwide referendum.

"I would advise against holding a referendum, especially during this troubled period," the speaker said.

The issue of holding the referendum on entering NATO could simultaneously arise, Lytvyn said, assuming that referendums on several issues could be merged into a single all-Ukrainian referendum.

"If you want to tear the country apart, then call a referendum," the speaker said.

28.05.2009