KIEV, March 15 ??“ Parliament, led by the pro-government coalition, on Thursday voted to postpone for almost a week debate on whether to approve Volodymyr Ohryzko, a pro-Western diplomat, as Ukraine??™s next foreign minister.

The coalition postponed the debate amid signs that pro-government parties had split on the issue with the Socialist Party ready to back the nomination, while the Communist Party vehemently opposing.

The Regions Party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, also split with most of its lawmakers opposing the nomination. The split comes apparently despite Yanukovych??™s assurances of President Viktor Yushchenko on Wednesday that the coalition will back Ohryzko.

On Thursday Yanukovych told Inter television that the president should submit a new candidate for the post of the foreign minister to make sure that the coalition supports the nomination.

Viktor Baloha, the chief of staff at the Yushchenko office, reacted angrily to the coalition??™s refusal to back Ohryzko despite earlier promises. ???The coalition again demonstrated today a political twist proving that any agreements with it had never had any sense, and never will,??? he said.

The split over Ohryzko was immediately followed by the coalition??™s failure to approve four new members of the Supreme Council of Justice, a body that is instrumental in clearing appointment of judges to courts.

The developments may be an early indication of emerging tensions between coalition partners and come at a bad time for the government as two largest opposition groups had been calling for the government??™s dismissal and new election.

The Communist Party, a vehemently pro-Russian group, insisted that the appointment of Ohryzko, an advocate of Ukraine??™s fast accession to NATO, would damage relations with Russia.

???This would be a challenge to Russia and would bury many agreements with the Russian Federation,??? Oleksandr Holub, a senior member of the Communist Party said. He warned the party may quit the coalition if Ohryzko gets the approval.

The collapse of the coalition may automatically lead to the dismissal of Parliament by the president and to declaring early general election, according to the constitution.

The coalition has tentatively scheduled the debate on Ohryzko??™s approval to the post on Tuesday, which gives political groups five days to try to find a compromise.

Yushchenko, who is currently on a two-day visit to Denmark, said he will invite leaders of the country??™s major political parties to his office Monday for talks out of the crisis.

???We have to, we must and we will seek a compromise,??? Yushchenko said in Copenhagen. ???This is the logic behind the national [reconciliation] process.??? (tl/ez)