Russian Parliamentarians To Pass 2002 Budget This Week

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation expects the deputies to pass the draft federal budget for 2002 in the third, final, reading this week. Conferring with Cabinet members in the Kremlin the president stated: "I expect the hard work of the government and parliament (on passing the budget) will be over this week with a positive result." At the same time, the head of state stressed that all the changes in the world economy much and professionally spoken about of late in the government, State Duma (lower parliamentary house) and media should be taken into account.