CROATIAN LOWER HOUSE APPROVES DRAFT BUDGET IN FIRST READING

ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - After a lengthy discussion, which involved about 60 deputies, the House of Representatives on Friday endorsed with an overwhelming majority a draft 1997 budget in the first reading. Deputies unanimously adopted conclusions ordering the government to submit a report on the funds spent in the first nine months of this year by the Office for General Administrative Services of the Government and Parliament before the end of the discussion on the draft budget. The government was also given the task of defining measures until December 31 for the allocation of budgetary funds to national minorities. The draft 1997 budget, oriented towards development and social issues, envisages planned revenues of 32.7 billion kuna and expenditures of 35.5 billion. A deficit of 2.8 billion will be covered by borrowings on domestic and foreign capital markets. The House sent a bill on the execution of the 1997 budget for the second reading. With a majority of votes, deputies adopted a government report on the acceptance of UN Security Council Resolution 1079 on extending the mandate of the UN Transtional Administration (UNTAES) in the Danube river region of eastern Croatia. (hina) vm jn 291828 MET nov 96