Ukrainians Protest Constitutional Changes

Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Ukrainian parliament Thursday, the day of an expected final vote on constitutional amendments they say threaten democracy in the former Soviet republic. Some 3,000 people, mostly pensioners, demanded wage and pension increases instead of the proposed constitutional changes. Under the proposed amendments, parliament — not voters — will choose the president following elections in 2006. The changes are backed by President Leonid Kuchma. Ukraine is to hold a presidential election in October and the opposition believes it has a strong chance of winning, although no candidates have yet entered the race. But the proposed amendments, if approved, will allow lawmakers to choose a new president following parliamentary elections in two years. The opposition fears that the pro-Kuchma forces that control parliament could take back the presidency after the vote. Western officials have criticized the constitutional changes.