Speaker: referendum will split Ukraine

"I would not advise or recommend launching the procedure of referendums, especially at the current uneasy period," he told the press commenting President Viktor Yushchenko's Wednesday statement that he might call a referendum on amendments to the Constitution.

The Speaker noted that "the move will immediately provoke the question of a referendum on accession to NATO, for which all resolutions are available."

Lytvyn does not rule out that, simultaneously with a nation-wide referendum, local polls may be held, too.

"If there is a wish to split the country, it is necessary to go to the referendum now," he said noting that "people's sentiments are well seen even without that."

The President recently said he may call an all-Ukraine referendum on adoption of amendments to the Constitution if the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and the Party of Regions try to force through the amendments profitable to them.

UKRINFORM