COALITION COORDINATING BODY: DRAFT BUDGET SHOULD BE REDUCED

ZAGREB, Nov 27 (Hina) - The state budget for next year projected at 50.855 billion kuna is too high and should be reduced, a coordinating body of Croatia's ruling six-party coalition agreed at a session held on Monday. The Croatian Peasants' Party's (HSS) Zlatko Tomcic told reporters it was expected the budget would be cut by at least one billion kuna. Informing reporters that today's meeting was an informal one due to justified absence of Croatian Social Liberal Party's president Drazen Budisa, Tomcic said the parties of the ruling coalition believed the budget should be cut both as regards expenses and revenues. The coalition today did not discuss budgetary items which could be reduced. Asked whether the budget would be reduced in the segment referring to acquired rights, Tomcic said this would probably be discussed as well. According to Tomcic, the talks on the budget, with more concrete figures, will continue on Wednesday and Thursday. The issue will be discussed by the government coordinating body, the ruling parties and the Government. Tomcic also announced a novelty in the work of the coordinating body. Due to important discussions, which are to be held, the coordinating body will occasionally hold sessions including also parliamentary representatives - presidents and members of some committees, and ministers. We want to rationalise our work and come to desired solutions as soon as possible, Tomcic said. (hina) rml