Ukraine's president Victor Yushchenko will not obstruct last year's amendments to the Constitution from coming into effect. This was said Tuesday night by Yushchenko during an interview with four Ukrainian television channels.
Using his own words, the question of political reforms will be approached "exclusively from the country's interest," said Yushchenko.
"Political reforms need to be done. What kind? Let us consider," said Yushchenko.
"I gave my word that no destructive steps will be taken towards the constitutional initiatives in question. I do not want to challenge these amendments, because I do not want 47 million Ukrainians to think that Yushchenko is thinking about preserving his authority," assured the president.
At the same time, the president voiced his own concerns on political reforms.
"Political reforms can be viewed as an ever-chaning concept illuminated by journalists three times in the last year and a half; we can live this way. But I do not want to live like that; it is not fair to the nation. It is a gamble taken under pressure," said Yushchenko.
"If such methods are employed to change lines in the Constitution, we will never have respect for the rule of law," stressed Yushchenko.
When asked whether he would support legislation providing immunity to deputies of local governments, the president replied that he stands for liquidation of immunity for deputies across the board, including people's deputies.
Soon the president will ask Ukraine's Constitutional Court to clarify the term "people's deputy -- is it a special person or an ordinary citizen."
"I think an ordinary citizen," said Yushchenko.
With regards to low ratings during the past few months, the president said he does not regret since in his opinion "the last 8 months will be great history."
"It is not dawn yet; do not hurry to make judgments from events of one day. It may happen that after three weeks you will take your words back," said Yushchenko to a question about the disappointment of people.
