CRO PARLIAMENT ADOPTS STATE BUDGET FOR 1999

ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - The Croatian Sabor's House of Representatives on Friday adopted the state budget for 1999, which amounts to almost US$8 billion. This is 8.5 percent more than the state budget for 1998. The 1999 state budget was adopted with 82 votes for, one against, and one withheld. The budget is well-ballanced and oriented towards social progress, however its main characteristic is a reduction of military and police expenses, and increases for education, culture, and science. The government submitted its amendments to the draft budget for 1999 totalling US$132 million. The government secured an additional US$32 million to urgently rehabilitate the health sector. Out of a total of 446 amendments motioned by the representatives, the government adopted more than 100, and partially adopted about 50. The amendments are estimated at about US$81 million. The adopted amendments mainly refer to the construction and reconstruction of roads, schools and gymnasiums, hospitals, courts, for the protection of cultural monuments. Agriculture and mine-clearing will also receive additional funds. The government pointed out budgetary expenditure in 1999 would continue to be directed at improving the standard of living of the most endangered categories of population, at the reconstruction of war-affected areas, at a pension reform, infrastructure investments, and at increasing subventions in agriculture. (hina) it/ha mm