MILITARY ATTACHES INFORMED OF PLAN FOR DEFENCE MINISTRY'S BUDGET FOR 2001

ZAGREB, Oct 4 (Hina) - Representatives of the military and diplomatic corps in Zagreb on Wednesday were notified of the Croatian Defence Ministry's draft budget for 2001, which will be raised by 16 million kuna (less than two US million dollars) as against this year's budget. According to the document presented at the third briefing this year for military attaches, a portion of the Defence Ministry's budget in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would be 2.83 percent, while this year it was 3.05 percent of the GDP. By 2010 the portion should fall to 1.76 percent, with the expected growth in the GDP of 4.5 percent per annum. According to the draft budget, next year the biggest amount of money should be earmarked for the salaries of employees with the ministry. But this sum will be six times lower than the amount of money allocated for the same purpose in 2000. Substantially reduced means would be also given for the equipment and development in comparison to this year. An increase is envisaged in current outlays which in 2001 should rise by 395 million kuna to 1.46 billion kuna (US$174 million). A rise is planned in outlays for the Minster's cabinet and the military ordinariat. Although reporters were called to attend the briefing they were not allowed to listen to the presentation of reports on the plans and goals of the re-organisation of the ministry and the Armed Forces, Croatia's relations towards the Partnership for Peace, its participation in peace operations and on the chief inspectorate in the ministry. They received subsequently an explanation form the head of the ministry's department for international military cooperation, Dragan Lozancic, who told them that the military and diplomatic corps' member could ask questions the answers to which "might not be for journalists' ears." (hina) ms