BELGRADE IS CONDUCTING COMPREHENSIVE PROBE IN ARMS SCANDAL

BELGRADE, Oct 25 (Hina) - An investigation is in full swing into suspected irregularities in the Yugoslav Defence Ministry in the procedure of issuing permits for the export of arms and military equipment and regarding possible irregularities in business activities of the "Jugoimport SDPR" company, believed to have traded arms with Iraq. #L# Yugoslav Interior Minister Zoran Zivkovic, who is at the helm of a three-member government commission of inquiry established to probe this case, on Friday reported on the investigation and said as soon as it wrapped up, "the public will be informed of its results". The former director of the said company, Jovan Cekovic, who was replaced due to this scandal, had previously sent a letter to the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, warning that there were two private companies which "are trading with Iraq". These companies have allegedly concluded arrangements with Baghdad on the arrival of some retired Yugoslav officers in Iraq, said the Belgrade-based "Vecernje Novosti" daily which reported about Cekovic's letter. After the scandal about the military cooperation with Iraq broke, the Yugoslav government relieved Cekovic and an assistant to the federal defence minister, Ivan Djokic, of their duties. (hina) ms