Ukraine PM says problems arise in election deal

KIEV, May 30 (Reuters) Ukraine's prime minister said today new disputes were impeding the approval of a legislative package needed to hold a September 30 election and end the country's long-running political crisis.

Viktor Yanukovich has been at odds for months with pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko, his rival from the 2004 ''Orange Revolution'', over who runs the ex-Soviet state.

The president last month issued decrees dissolving parliament and ordering a snap parliamentary elections, but the date was set only last weekend after weeks of wrangling.

The president suspended his decree to give parliament two days Tuesday and Wednesday to approve laws required for the poll. But after a first day of smooth debate, Yanukovich said a new impasse had been reached.

''Problems have emerged. But I do not want to place too much emphasis on them,'' the prime minister told a cabinet meeting.

''The plan that was drawn up is proceeding. But there is not enough time to examine all issues in parliament. The idea of doing this over two days has not worked out.'' The prime minister said he might seek an extension. He was also pressing for the assembly to debate legislation required for Ukraine's long delayed bid to join the World Trade Organisation and measures to combat severe drought.

Parliament called a recess after a brief morning session.

Yushchenko acknowledged the problems, telling a delegation from the European Parliament: ''There are too many issues. The main thing is to fulfil the agreements we have reached.'' Parliament Speaker Oleksander Moroz, who also signed the election deal, said problems focused on the president's call to bar members of parliament from switching parties once an election takes place.

Other rows centred on the voters' list and a proposal for a minimum poll turnout, rejected by the president's allies.

Yesterday, parliament tacitly recognised the president's decrees dissolving the chamber and calling the election. It also gave rapid formal approval to more than 50 laws passed while the chamber operated in defiance of the dissolution order.

The president called the election after accusing Yanukovich, who is lionised by voters in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, of illegally poaching supporters to expand his majority in parliament and change the constitution.

Yushchenko, who wants Ukraine to join NATO and the European Union, defeated Yanukovich in the re-run of a rigged 2004 election.

Yanukovich made a comeback when his Regions Party took first place in a parliamentary election a year ago and he was later made prime minister.

REUTERS GL KN1834