KIEV -- Ukraine's parliament Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a constitutional law on the division of powers, but deputies were unhappy with the sweeping authority it would give President Leonid Kuchma.


Parliament also voted to create a commission to work out differences on controversial sections of the law, which Kuchma told deputies last week was vital to carry out badly needed economic reforms.


The presidential administration expressed relief that initial approval had come without overt political confrontation. A power struggle between Russia's president and parliament in October 1993 ended in bloody conflict.


"The process of a civilized division of power has begun. This is a big show of goodwill by parliament and president, and of the desire for constructive cooperation," Dmytro Tabachnyk, head of Kuchma's administration, said after the vote.


Kuchma has warned he will call a national referendum on the law if parliament fails to approve it.


But most deputies, including lawmakers who support market reforms, said it was doubtful that the required two-thirds of parliament would give final approval to the law as it stands.