ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan told the Croatian Radio today revising the government budget is under intense discussion, considering doubts surrounding the realisation of all privatisation turnover. We must review
the budget for two reasons -- decentralisation and including contributions for pension insurance into the state treasury, Racan said. However, he stressed, "we are also intensively discussing and analysing whether and to what extent the review should be done," considering the fact that realising all revenue from privatisation projects is under question, particularly the second phase of the Croatian Telecom. It is also uncertain whether the budgetary review will cover this year's increased funding for children's contributions and returning debts to pensioners, Racan added. Asked whether the turnover from the privatisation process (about 8.5 billion kuna, or approx. one billion
ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan told the
Croatian Radio today revising the government budget is under
intense discussion, considering doubts surrounding the
realisation of all privatisation turnover.
We must review the budget for two reasons -- decentralisation and
including contributions for pension insurance into the state
treasury, Racan said. However, he stressed, "we are also
intensively discussing and analysing whether and to what extent the
review should be done," considering the fact that realising all
revenue from privatisation projects is under question,
particularly the second phase of the Croatian Telecom.
It is also uncertain whether the budgetary review will cover this
year's increased funding for children's contributions and
returning debts to pensioners, Racan added.
Asked whether the turnover from the privatisation process (about
8.5 billion kuna, or approx. one billion dollars) would decrease by
three billion, Racan said it will soon be seen how realistic is the
estimate that the revenue will not be realised. "For now it is
unrealistic," he stressed.
Asked whether he feared social unrest, Racan said "I fear a slow
solving of social problems". He warned that a social unrest would be
detrimental, and recalled the government will not give in to
unrealistic financial requests.
The Prime Minister defended Vice-Premier Zeljka Antunovic from
criticism forwarded by the country's association of judges. The
association requested she hand in her resignation in view of her
statements criticising the judiciary.
This statement was not adequate, but Antunovic is well aware of that
and tried to amend the situation, Racan said.
He himself expressed discontent with the slowness and bad quality
of the work of the judiciary, but added the judicial authority is
independent, and cannot be influenced from the outside.
(hina) lml