Ukraine Parliament Requests Foreign Help In Row With President

Supporters of Prime Minister Yanukovych's coalition in Luhansk in late March (RFE/RL) April 9, 2007 -- Ukraine's parliament today asked the international community to send observers and mediators to help in its standoff with President Viktor Yushchenko.

A resolution passed by parliament calls on "heads of state, governments, and parliaments of European nations, and countries guaranteeing Ukrainian security" to send representatives to assist in resolving the republic's constitutional crisis.

The Ukrainian parliament also approved a statement to the public today saying it is not opposed to early elections, but rather "illegal" elections.

The statement said if early parliamentary elections were held, the country would also have to hold early presidential elections and put to a referendum the question of whether Ukraine should seek membership in NATO.

Yushchenko, citing alleged constitutional violations by parliament in forming a ruling coalition, ordered the legislature dissolved on April 2.

New elections are set for May 27.

Yushchenko's opponents, led by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, have staged major protests as they await a possible decision on the president's move by Ukraine's Constitutional Court.

(dpa)