Ukraine leader to attend Euro 2012 presentation

KIEV, Apr 16 (Reuters) Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is to attend his country's final presentation of their joint bid with Poland to stage the 2012 European soccer championship, his office announced today.

But the head of the Ukraine's National Olympic Committee said the bid, to be considered alongside Italy and a joint submission from Croatia and Hungary, would stand a better chance if the ex-Soviet state could resolve a political crisis.

The pro-Western Yushchenko has long been a supporter of the joint bid as have Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, the president's arch rival, and other top political figures.

In Warsaw, Polish President Lech Kaczynski's press office said he was ''most likely'' to attend the presentation.

National Olympic chief, world pole vault record holder Sergei Bubka, acknowledged the broad support for the bid but said longstanding political instability would do it no good.

''Of course, these things are considered. Political stability is of huge importance and is seen as a risk factor in taking the decision,'' Bubka told the daily Segodnya.

''In order for us to feel more confident in Cardiff, it would be good to see an improvement in the political situation. We ought to have the feeling that a dialogue is going on. It should be clear what the country will look like in the near future.'' Ukraine has been plunged into crisis by a presidential decree dissolving parliament and calling a new election to the chamber next month.

The prime minister and the majority in parliament backing him have challenged the decree in the Constitutional Court, due to start examining the issue this week. But all sides have shown signs of compromise, particularly on postponing the election.

Other officials have downplayed politics, saying Hungary was the scene of violent demonstrations last year and that Italian soccer has been plagued by scandals and crowd problems.

They say the joint bid, initially regarded as a longshot, would allow soccer to develop in the huge market of eastern Europe and leave a legacy of major construction projects.

UEFA, European soccer's governing body, makes its choice in the Welsh city of Cardiff on Wednesday.

REUTERS BJR ND1624