VZCZCXRO3320
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHVJ #0189 0561621
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251621Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1466
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000189
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND EEB/IFD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV SOCI BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: GETTING CLOSER TO QUALIFYING FOR IMF AND
WORLD BANK SUPPORT
REF: SARAJEVO 181
1. (SBU) As expected, the Federation House of Peoples
ratified the set of amendments to reform the system of social
benefits passed yesterday by the Federation House of
Representatives (Reftel). This was the last remaining hurdle
before the amendments enter into law. These amendments are
expected to fulfill requirements for release of
budget-support funds from the World Bank and IMF. However
this cannot be confirmed until the World Bank and IMF
complete their evaluation of this legislation, which they
tell us could take a week or two.
2. (SBU) In contrast to yesterday's session in the House of
Representatives, where the legislation was passed virtually
without debate, in the House of Peoples opposition
parliamentarians from the Social Democratic Party raised
numerous objections and demanded a roll call vote. However,
no members of the coalition parties broke ranks to vote
against the legislation. Assuming that the World Bank and
IMF are satisfied with these amendments, it appears that the
political and economic crisis that would have been caused by
failing to obtain budgetary support has been averted.
ENGLISH