SKREB: "CERTAIN CONCERN" AMONG INT FACTORS AT CRO ECONOMY TRENDS

WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Hina) - The general assessment of economic trends in the world at this year's annual assembly of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington is more favourable than last year, yet the parties which met with the Croatian delegation expressed a certain concern about the economic situation in Croatia. According to Croatian National Bank governor Mirko Skreb, the forecasts for Croatia "aren't catastrophist" but, he added, all parties are interested in the continuation of economic reforms and a stable fiscal policy. During the Washington talks, all parties wondered whether after the impending parliamentary elections, the Government would be resolute in implementing economic policy measures which are both unavoidable and necessary, Skreb said. Croatian Assistant Finance Minister Josko Kulisic emphasised that the IMF, the World Bank, and other international financial institutions and large banks constantly urged accelerated structural changes, especially in the pension and health care sectors. Asked whether during the Washington talks there had been mention of possible application of the Lautenberg Amendment in the wake of remarks about Croatia's alleged non-cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Skreb and Kulisic said the IMF had not mentioned the matter because, they said, at present Croatia does not have an arrangement with the Fund. (hina) ha