Russian Government Will Not Revise Key Parameters Of Draft Budget For 2002

The government of Russia will not revise the key parameters of the draft federal budget for 2002 despite the fall in the world oil prices, Alexei Kudrin, vice-premier and finance minister of Russia, stated Wednesday. Nevertheless, according to him, measures should be taken to provide budget protection. Specifically, it is envisaged to put off non-priority spending in the amount of 68 billion rubles (about USD 2.3 billion) till the fourth quarter of 2002. "The main thing is that the next year budget will be deficit-free," the Russian vice-premier assured.