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Ukraine's Leaders Meet Again on Political Crisis


Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych have met again for talks on resolving the country's political crisis.

The discussions followed another warning by the prime minister of new obstacles impeding the approval of a legislative package needed for holding early parliamentary elections in September.

Mr. Yanukovych did not elaborate but indicated he believes the two days the president had allotted for parliamentary consideration would not give lawmakers sufficient time to act on all issues.

Mr. Yushchenko has indicated he might be ready to extend additional time for debate.

The September 30 election is part of a deal reached Sunday between the two political rivals aimed at resolving the 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.

Meanwhile, news reports from Kyiv mention heated exchanges and various disruptions in the parliamentary session.

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.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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