Yushchenko considering referendum on pending constitutional changes News
Yushchenko considering referendum on pending constitutional changes

[JURIST] Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko [JURIST news archive] on Friday spoke out against pending constitutional changes [JURIST report] that will lead, in his opinion, to an "unbalanced and ineffective government", and suggested a national referendum to decide the matter. The changes to the country's constitution [text], scheduled to take effect on January 1, will strip Yushchenko's power to nominate a prime minister and other key cabinet positions, and also require Ukranian Parliament [official website] approval of all other key appointments. The constitutional changes were part of a reform package [JURIST report] agreed upon by Yushchenko and other party leaders last year to end the disputed Ukrainian presidential election. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Egypt President Anwar Sadat visits Israel

On November 19, 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat visited Israel, becoming the first leader of an Arab nation to officially visit. Two years later, President Sadat became the first Arab leader to recognize Israel by signing the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty. Read President Sadat's address to the Israeli Knesset.

Jay Treaty signed

On November 19, 1794, US Chief Justice John Jay and British foreign secretary Lord Grenville signed a treaty in Philadelphia under which British forces pulled out of the disputed Northwest Territory. Review the Jay Treaty.