CROATIA, CHINA SIGN AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN FIGHTING CRIME

CRIME $ BEIJING, Feb 26 (Hina) - The Croatian Interior Ministry and the Chinese Public Security Ministry on Wednesday signed the Agreement on Cooperation in Preventing and Fighting Crime. The Agreement, whose text had been adjusted late last year, was signed by Croatian Interior Minister Ivan Penic and the Chinese Public Security Minister Tao Siju. This is the first agreement of its kind the Croatian Interior Ministry signs with a Far East country and which opens the possibility of direct and fast communication in the cooperation in fighting organized international crime, including illegal drug trade, terrorism, international economic crime and illegal trafficking in arms, explosives and radioactive substances. Croatia and China will at the same time continue their cooperation within the Interpol. In compliance with the agreement, the two parties will in the future use special protocols and implementation documents to regulate issues referring to specific areas of police cooperation. Siju accepted Penic's invitation to visit Croatia. (hina) ha 261700 MET feb 97