CROATIAN SABOR FORWARDS DRAFT BUDGET TO SECOND READING

ZAGREB, Nov 27 (Hina) - The 1999 draft budget, balanced at US$7.7 billion, was adopted at Friday's session of the Croatian Sabor's House of Representatives with 69 votes pro, 16 con and one abstention. Deputy Finance Minister Mijo Jukic announced the Government would consider all comments and suggestions by MPs, and take into consideration anything that is acceptable for the overall development of Croatia. The Lower House also adopted reports on the work of the State Audit Bureau for this year, and on audits issued for last year. The reports were adopted with 72 votes, one pro and 17 abstentions. Members of six opposition parties abstained from voting because, as Ante Jukic said, conclusions from 1996 (on the necessity of responsibility for the findings of the Audit Bureau) have not been respected, and there is no guarantee that they will be respected in the future. With a majority vote, the House of Representatives decided to submit all audit reports to the State Attorney's Office, the Ombudsman's Office, Interior Ministry and Financial Police. These institutions are responsible on the basis of the reports to estimate the existence of cases of illegal management of budget funds at state and local levels, and to act in accordance with their duties and authority. (hina) lml mm/sp