LITHUANIA SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASES MILITARY BUDGET.

Lithuania’s 1998 defense budget, just approved by parliament, represents 6.3 percent of the total state budget and 1.45 percent of projected GDP, well above the 4 percent and 0.92 percentages, respectively, in 1997. The Defense Ministry announced yesterday that it plans to spend a record 27 percent of its budget for modern equipment procurement. The ministry, as well as the parliament, described the increases as part of Lithuania’s effort to qualify for NATO membership. (BNS, December 3-4)

Duma Debates Budget.