CRO GOVT DISCUSSES PROPOSAL ON BUDGET FOR 2000 AT CLOSED SESSION

ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - At Saturday's closed session, the Croatian Government discussed a proposal for the state budget for 2000. At today's session, the Government should establish the budget proposal, while this most important financial document should be passed in the Croatian National Sabor by the end of March. According to first announcement, the budget for this year should amount to DM11.25 billion to 11.5 billion. Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Friday, however, said that incomes could amount to DM12.25 billion. According to him, the budget should include funds for settling country's debts worth about DM2.25 billion. Regarding budget's expenditures, state officials announced the decrease of classic state expenses, the decrease of funds earmarked for the Defence Ministry, the decrease of capital expenditures, subventions, etc. More funds would be earmarked for science, education and judiciary. The proposal for the budget for the year 2000 was discussed by the Government last Saturday for the first time, and on Thursday it was discussed in details by all three Government's coordinations. The Croatian National Sabor has to pass the budget by the end of this month. (hina) it