Delegates of the Volyn public forum "For Constitutional Reform," which took place today in Lutsk, did not support the constitutional reform proposed by President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma. Forum participants, who were "invited" to "listen to a lecture 'On the Political Situation in Ukraine Today'" but in reality were rounded up by administrative methods, practically unanimously spoke in favor of the direct election of the President of Ukraine by nationwide vote.
The Forum could only be entered with passes that were distributed immediately before the start of the event near the premises of the "Promin" cinema. The organizing committee repeatedly voiced accusations against people's deputies regarding their irresponsibility, which was used to argue the necessity of carrying out constitutional changes.
People's elected representatives from the "Our Ukraine" faction - Volodymyr Bondar and from the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc - Yevhen Kyryllchuk and their assistants, members of the "Our Ukraine" factions in the Volyn regional and Lutsk city councils, had difficulty getting into the cinema premises. The presence of opposition forces, their speeches from the podium and seats, were an important factor in supporting Volyn voters. Only the firm position of regional opposition members allowed the public to find the willpower, feel support and make a worthy decision - not to vote for the changes proposed by the authorities. Volodymyr Bondar, speaking before the audience, acknowledged that changes are needed, but they must be such that "no future President of Ukraine becomes a Kuchma." The deputy from "Our Ukraine" emphasized that constitutional reform is one of the methods of extending the current authorities' stay in their positions. "Support by Volyn residents of the changes proposed by Kuchma would mean your will for us, deputies, to vote for Kuchma's third term. Is this what you want? - asked the people's elected representative." Volodymyr Bondar assured that in Ukraine there are forces capable of establishing order, ensuring stability and prosperity for Ukrainian families - "only this lies outside the scope of Kuchma's reform, this can be resolved without constitutional intervention."
The head of the regional representation of the "Our Ukraine" bloc, Volodymyr Bondar, noted that "the Volyn elite nevertheless understood that it was through their hands that the authorities tried to disgrace Volyn and Ukraine. Because this reform has no other purpose." Today Volyn residents proved their wisdom, defended their political position and confirmed their aspiration to live in a democratic state, believes Volodymyr Bondar.