FNM to carry on despite deal

National Property Fund (FNM) Presidium President Štefan Gavorník told Slovak Radio on July 23 that direct sale privatization projects will continue, even though the opposition remains unrepresented on the FNM's boards. During June's coalition crisis, Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar reportedly signed an agreement with the opposition Party of the Democratic Left (SDĽ) guaranteeing that privatization would be halted until the FNM boards were realigned. "It is not possible to stop the privatization process since the Presidium's most important role is to issue decisions on direct sale privatization projects," Gavorník stressed. SDĽ deputy chairwoman Brigita Schmögnerová said that if Mečiar breaks his pledge, her party will publish the agreement's contents, Národná obroda reported on July 23.