SABOR COMMITTEE: PARLIAMENT MUST DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS WITH IMF

ZAGREB, March 18 (Hina) - Should the government decide on another stand-by arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a proposal to that effect will have to be discussed in parliament, the parliament's Finances and State Budget Committee concluded. #L# Assistant Finance Minister Damir Kustrak said at Monday's Committee session the current stand-by arrangement would expire on May 20. When decisions are made about whether Croatia needs another arrangement, the government will have to take into account that the issue should be discussed at certain levels in parliament, he said. Kustrak said the government expected the IMF would positively assess the implementation of the current arrangement. Committee members from among the ranks of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Hrvoje Vojvoda and Ivan Suker, and independent MP Djuro Njavro wanted to know if the government would sign another arrangement with the IMF. Vojvoda warned Kustrak the government should not be too content with the IMF's positive assessment as "governments which were given positive marks by the IMF lost elections as well". No developed country which has self-respect needs such arrangements, he added. Kustrak said Croatia would not need arrangements once its overall economic policy was stable and reforms ensured sustainable development. (hina) sb rml