U.S.: Afghanistan to Break Opium Record
Afghanistan Will Break Opium Growth Record, U.S. Ambassador Says
By FISNIK ABRASHI
The Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan
Afghanistan's heroin-producing poppy crop set another record this season, despite intensified eradication efforts, the American ambassador said Tuesday.
Ambassador William Wood said preliminary data show that Afghan farmers harvested 457,135 acres of opium poppies this year, compared to 407,715 acres last year. The growing industry fuels the Taliban, crime, addiction and government corruption.
Government-led eradication efforts destroyed about 49,420 acres of poppies this year, a "disappointing" outcome, Wood told reporters at his private residence overlooking Kabul.
Wood said he strongly supports forced eradication, alluding to U.S.-led poppy-spraying in Colombia. But he said there is "not yet an international consensus" on the practice.
Drug cultivation "threatens security and governance and stability in Afghanistan" and kills Afghans and others, he said.
(Continued here.)
By FISNIK ABRASHI
The Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan
Afghanistan's heroin-producing poppy crop set another record this season, despite intensified eradication efforts, the American ambassador said Tuesday.
Ambassador William Wood said preliminary data show that Afghan farmers harvested 457,135 acres of opium poppies this year, compared to 407,715 acres last year. The growing industry fuels the Taliban, crime, addiction and government corruption.
Government-led eradication efforts destroyed about 49,420 acres of poppies this year, a "disappointing" outcome, Wood told reporters at his private residence overlooking Kabul.
Wood said he strongly supports forced eradication, alluding to U.S.-led poppy-spraying in Colombia. But he said there is "not yet an international consensus" on the practice.
Drug cultivation "threatens security and governance and stability in Afghanistan" and kills Afghans and others, he said.
(Continued here.)
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1 Comments:
Are the US Ambassador's comments a plea for more help ?
Consider this reporting from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Afghanistan Opium Survey 2006.
Opium accounts for about 30% of Afghanistan's total economy.
Helmand Province accounted for 30% of the world's supply of opium.
So it would seem if Helmand Province is targeted then a significant impact could occur. The Helmand river valley is fertile ground where a variety of crops could be grown. This is something that the US and its NATO allies have known for years, but have failed.
According to the UK’s House of Commons report issued this month :
“The MoD's position is that it will not take part in the eradication of poppy until alternative livelihood schemes are available. We call on the Government to ensure that this message is communicated clearly to farmers in Helmand. We are deeply concerned that uncertainty has arisen among Afghans about ISAF's policy towards, and role in, poppy eradication and that UK Forces, under ISAF command, may consequently have been put at risk. This uncertainty undermines the effectiveness of the entire ISAF mission.” (see paragraph 146)
The House of Commons report concludes : Success in combating the narcotics trade will be crucial to the future stability of Afghanistan. We remain concerned that the coalition's counter-narcotics policy lacks clarity and coherence. We recommend that, in its response to this report, the Government set out in detail the international counter-narcotics strategy for Afghanistan, including its assessment of progress to date and targets for the years ahead. (see paragraph 151)
Sadly, Afghanistan is not getting the attention it needs. Once again, the solution will not come through the military … but instead through the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Dr. Rice, your Ambassador is calling.
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