Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych says new obstacles are impeding the approval of a legislative package needed for holding early parliamentary elections in September.
The Ukrainian leader did not elaborate, but indicated he believes the two days President Viktor Yushchenko has allotted for parliamentary consideration does not give lawmakers sufficient time to act on all issues.
The September 30 election is part of a deal reached Sunday between the two political rivals.
The agreement is aimed at easing Ukraine's political crisis, which erupted in April when parliament ignored Mr. Yushchenko's order to dissolve. The president accused Mr. Yanukovych and his supporters of illegally luring 11 lawmakers to join the prime minister's coalition.
In another development, Ukrainian authorities say Interior Minister Vasyl Tsushko, a key supporter of the prime minister, has been hospitalized for treatment of a heart attack.
Tensions between the reformist President Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yanukovych, who favors closer ties with Russia, have been simmering since the 2004 presidential election. Mr. Yanukovych won that vote, but Ukraine's Supreme Court threw out the results as fraudulent. The court ordered a new election, which Mr. Yushchenko won. - VOA News
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