Committees to decide how to spend zl. 5 bln unspecified funds in 2001 budget

Zl. 5 billion is assigned by the Finance Ministry as "unspecified means" in next year's budget. This sum is half the amount allocated to the Defense Ministry. The Economic and Social committees will be responsible for spending this money and will present their plan today to Cabinet. It is still unknown if this money can be really given away or will remain as budget reserves. Zl. 5 billion is a huge amount especially in light of budget reductions in some ministries by one-fifth or one- third. Next year's budget surely will not support road infrastructure, science or education. Spending on this last issue will decrease by 27% in real terms. For research projects the government will spend 75% of the amount budgeted for this year and only due to obligations toward NATO will spending on defense remain at the same level next year. (Rzeczpospolita page A1, B1) M.M.