PRESS CONFERENCE BY UKRAINE

10 July 1996

Press Briefing

19960710 FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT ONLY

The new Constitution of Ukraine represented an important reaffirmation of that country's independence and its commitment to a market economy, Permanent Representative Anatoli Zlenko said this morning, at a press conference at Headquarters. It would increase political accountability and provide an important signal of Ukraine's political stability. Adoption of the Constitution on 28 June had been described by Ukraine's President as a history-making event, Mr. Zlenko said. The text, which was years in preparation, was the subject of heated parliamentary debate for many months. Its adoption represented a compromise between various political forces. Under the Constitution, Ukraine is a sovereign, independent, democratic and law-based State having a single citizenship, Mr. Zlenko said. Its national flag has two horizontal stripes of equal size, one blue and one yellow. Its national emblem is a golden trident on a blue shield. Although the State language is Ukrainian, the right of its citizens to use other languages is guaranteed. The Constitution establishes the President as head of State and guarantor of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Mr. Zlenko said. He is elected for a five-year term. The Parliament, called the Verkhovna Rada, is composed of 450 Deputies. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by a majority in Parliament. A Cabinet of Ministers is to be formed within three months following adoption of the Constitution. "Two hours ago, the current Prime Minister, Pavel Lazarenko, was confirmed by Parliament", Mr. Zlenko then announced. The vote had been 349 in favour and 22 against, with 9 abstentions. He added that the next scheduled parliamentary elections would take place in March 1998, with the next presidential elections to be held in October 1999. For the first three years following adoption of the Constitution, the President, with the consent of the Prime Minister, could issue special decrees on economic issues not yet covered by legislation, Mr. Zlenko said. After that period, such decrees would require a vote in Parliament. Under a separate chapter of the Ukrainian Constitution, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea was permitted to have its own Constitution, adopted by the Crimean Parliament and confirmed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Mr. Zlenko added. Ukraine's Constitution also allowed the temporary stationing of foreign military forces currently on Ukrainian territory. The presence of foreign military bases was permitted only on a lease basis, to be regulated by Ukraine's international agreements. The Constitution also gave all Ukrainian citizens the right of private ownership of property, including land.

Ukraine Press Conference - 2 - 10 July 1996

Adoption of the Constitution was a long-awaited event for the Ukrainian people and the international community, Mr. Zlenko said. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali had sent a telegram to Ukraine's President and Speaker of Parliament, congratulating the Ukrainian leaders on its adoption. "Of course, the adoption of the Constitution was an internal affair, but it is of great importance to the international community, because one more State has joined the family of civilized nations", Mr. Zlenko added.

What was the primary difference between the new Constitution and Moscow's Constitution? a correspondent asked. Mr. Zlenko said the Constitution of 1978 was based on the old society, where the main ruling party was the Communist Party. All its provisions were oriented towards a planned economy, in a society within the Soviet Union. The new Constitution was based on a new society, a new country, and proclaimed a new course of development that was independent, democratic and law-based. The old text was pro- Communist, whereas the new Constitution promoted strengthening of an independent, sovereign and law-based nation.

Would adoption of the new Constitution improve Ukraine's image in the international community? a correspondent asked. Would it improve the country's international trade? With respect to trade, Mr. Zlenko said the Constitution reaffirmed Ukraine's independence and its commitment to a market economy. As to the country's image, he said the new Constitution was likely to increase political accountability and provide an important signal of political stability. It would promote political and economic reform while attracting potential investors.

What had been the principal point of contention during debate on the draft? a correspondent asked. Mr. Zlenko said that, over the past month, one issue had been the division of power between the President and Parliament. The other main issue related to deep differences within sections of the Parliament. One group wanted to re-establish links with former Soviet republics; another supported creation of a legal basis for a market economy.

"Thanks to the adoption of the new Constitution, we were able to see who was in majority and who was in minority", Mr. Zlenko continued. "This is an irreversible process for Ukraine. Step by step, we will build up our democratic society and we will do our best to be among the democratic and civilized States" of the world.

With adoption of the new Constitution, had the influence of the Communist and pro-Soviet forces been diminished or eliminated? a correspondent asked. "I don't think they diminished, but I am absolutely sure that their sphere of activities will be very much limited", Mr. Zlenko said. "We have legislation, and all their political activities will be ruled under those laws. Of course, we don't prohibit ideology. We try to limit, under constitutional law, some political practices that no longer correspond to the demands of our time."

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