WORLD IN BRIEF : POLAND : Bill to Confiscate Party Property Dies

The Polish Parliament rejected a bill to confiscate property worth tens of millions of dollars from the Communist Party after the Solidarity-led government refused to back the measure. The Sejm (lower house) voted 246-20 with 45 abstentions to drop the bill. The Sejm did approve setting up a government commission to investigate the wealth of the Communist Party and its former allies and said it should find ways to ensure the return of property taken illegally from the state and other owners. The Communists, who plan to disband and form a new, non-Marxist party, have said the party has property worth $73 million.