[JURIST] Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko [official website] said Friday that he establish a body to draft a new Ukrainian constitution [text] and will propose amendments to clarify the distribution of power between the presidency, parliament, and the cabinet. In remarks [press release] marking Ukraine's Independence Day, Yushchenko addressed the need for legislative and constitutional reform:

The president said he was "full of determination" to continue changing the country. He described an upcoming snap election as his firm "response to an attack against Ukraine by corrupt politicians" and reiterated his demands that it was important to repeal legislative immunity, renew the system of government and adopt a new constitution.

"I know how to restore order in our Ukrainian house. ...I will establish a constitutional council to draft a new constitution. This process will take longer than a day but nobody will be able to make it too long. It also cannot be a hostage of the [September 30] election, as it is very important for each of us. I firmly repeat what I said two months ago on Constitution Day: our constitution will be adopted at a nationwide Ukrainian referendum."