PARLIAMENT CONSIDERS AMENDMENTS TO STATE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR

ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament is currently discussing amendments to the state budget for next year. Government representatives have refused some 50 amendments to the draft state budget for 2002 which were proposed by deputies, parliamentary benches and parliament's working bodies. The government and the parliament did not endorse requests, mostly from the Opposition, that representational costs, rent-a-car and taxi service expenses, and the costs of maintenance of buildings be reduced and the money saved that way used for childbirth allowances, de-mining, scholarships etc. The Opposition particularly objected to the representational costs of the President's Office. The amount of 1.2 million kuna is too high, said Jadranka Kosor of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), adding the Office of the Ombudsman had been allocated only 889 kuna for representation. The Opposition claims the government's public relations office is spending too much as well. The government and the parliament did not support requests that some municipalities and towns in areas of special state concern be given more funds. Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac said those municipalities and towns were already being given additional funds. The deputies and the benches of the ruling coalition are mostly withdrawing their amendments, explaining they have already been adopted within six government amendments. The vote on them is proceeding rather quickly. (hina) sb rml