HOUSE OF COUNTIES FAILS TO ENDORSE DRAFT STATE BUDGET

ZAGREB, Dec 8 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Counties on Friday failed to endorse a government's draft state budget for 2001 and a law on the budget execution. The committee for economy and finances proposed to the House of Counties not to endorse the draft budget. The committee assessed that the draft budget for 2001 was not sufficiently develop and welfare oriented. The House of Counties, in which the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) holds the majority, held a discussion on the draft state budget on Thursday. Representatives voiced their opinions on close to 200 amendments. Some representatives from the ruling coalition of six parties advocated the passing of the draft budget if the Government expresses readiness to consider at least a part of representatives' amendments. However, the motion was not passed. The House of Representatives also failed to pass a government's bill on the increase of the excise tax on cars and motor vehicles and a bill on the increase of the excise tax on the import of old vehicles. Ivan Brlekovic of the HDZ protested because representatives in the House of Counties did not have an opportunity to voice their opinions on a package of four tax laws, which was endorsed in the House of Representatives on Thursday. The Upper House is scheduled to continue the 50th session on Monday. (hina) it