SFOR CONDUCTS INVESTIGATION INTO PROSTITUTION AND DRUG DEALING

( Editorial: --> 4673 ) SARAJEVO, June 30 (Hina) - The Stabilisation Force (SFOR) has launched an investigation into reported prostitution and drug dealing which might implicate NATO soldiers in Bosnia-Herzegovina, SFOR spokesman Richard Sant-Louis said in Sarajevo Tuesday. Sant-Louis told reporters that the investigation started following an article published by the Madrid-based paper "El Mundo" on May 23, and upon orders by the SFOR chief commander, US General Eric Shinseki. Three multinational teams began investigations immediately after the article was published and have so far interrogated more than 50 people. The findings will be made known once the investigation is completed and SFOR will not comment on its course, Sant-Louis said. Investigation teams include police experts already in Bosnia- Herzegovina but this does not mean that they cannot be assisted by their colleagues from countries which have their troops in SFOR, Sant-Louis said. He could not say whether the local Bosnian police were participating in the investigation. (hina) jn rml /mbr 301538 MET jun 98