BELGRADE: BRITISH MINISTER URGES COOPERATION WITH HAGUE, PUNISHING ARMS DEALERS

BELGRADE, Nov 6 (Hina) - British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in Belgrade on Wednesday a full Yugoslav investigation into arms trade with Iraq and Liberia and cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal at The Hague were crucial for the normalisation of Yugoslavia's standing in the international community. #L# Straw arrived in the Yugoslav capital last night to be given guarantees by Yugoslav authorities that military trade with Iraq would cease. Most people in Yugoslavia wish for their country to join NATO and the European Union, and it is good that such a wish exists, but for it to come true problematic issues have to be solved, Straw told B92 radio-television. War crimes suspects have to be transferred to the Hague tribunal, and not one country can be allowed to violate UN sanctions by selling arms to countries like Iraq and Liberia, especially when this is done by state-owned companies, said Straw. He added that those responsible for the sale must be prosecuted. Today Yugoslavia accepted Great Britain's offer of technical assistance to prevent the selling of arms to countries under UN sanctions. Straw said he was satisfied that Yugoslav authorities had paid the same attention to the problem of illegal arms trade as the international community. Straw and his Yugoslav interlocutor, Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic, today signed an agreement on the stimulation and protection of investments, and on cooperation in culture, science and sports. (hina) ha sb