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Afghanistan on verge of becoming narcotics state, report says
By GEORGE GEDDA
Associated Press
3/6/2005
WASHINGTON - More than three years after installing a pro-U.S. government, Afghanistan has been unable to contain opium poppy production and is on the verge of becoming a narcotics state, according to a presidential report.
The report said the area in Afghanistan devoted to poppy cultivation last year set a record of more than 510,000 acres, more than triple the figure for 2003. Opium poppy is the raw material for heroin.
The Afghan narcotics situation "represents an enormous threat to world stability," the report said.
It listed Afghanistan's opium production at 5,445 tons, 17 times more than second-place Myanmar.
The worldwide study, covering the state of illicit narcotics in 2004 in virtually all countries, was transmitted to Congress by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on behalf of President Bush.
Colombia remains a major drug country, the report said, despite impressive progress against narcotics trafficking.
The report credited Colombia's public security forces with preventing hundreds of tons of illicit drugs from reaching the world market through interdiction, spraying of coca and poppy crops, and manual eradication.
The United States has been a counterdrug partner of Colombia, having contributed billions of dollars to the effort since 2000.
Colombia is the source of more than 90 percent of the cocaine and 50 percent of the heroin entering the United States, the report said. It is also a leading user of precursor chemicals and the focus of significant money laundering activity.
In Afghanistan, the U.S. military deposed the Taliban government in November 2001. President Hamid Karzai has been in charge since then with strong American backing.
"Dangerous security conditions make implementing counternarcotics programs difficult and present a substantial obstacle to both poppy eradication efforts by the national government and to international efforts to provide related assistance," the report said.
Also contributing to the situation is the destruction resulting from 25 years of conflict, the lack of legitimate income streams, and the limited enforcement capacity of the national government, the report said.
A five-point plan for Afghanistan developed in the latter half of 2004 includes promotion of alternative crops for poppy farmers, ground eradication and interdiction of heroin labs.
By GEORGE GEDDA
Associated Press
3/6/2005
WASHINGTON - More than three years after installing a pro-U.S. government, Afghanistan has been unable to contain opium poppy production and is on the verge of becoming a narcotics state, according to a presidential report.
The report said the area in Afghanistan devoted to poppy cultivation last year set a record of more than 510,000 acres, more than triple the figure for 2003. Opium poppy is the raw material for heroin.
The Afghan narcotics situation "represents an enormous threat to world stability," the report said.
It listed Afghanistan's opium production at 5,445 tons, 17 times more than second-place Myanmar.
The worldwide study, covering the state of illicit narcotics in 2004 in virtually all countries, was transmitted to Congress by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on behalf of President Bush.
Colombia remains a major drug country, the report said, despite impressive progress against narcotics trafficking.
The report credited Colombia's public security forces with preventing hundreds of tons of illicit drugs from reaching the world market through interdiction, spraying of coca and poppy crops, and manual eradication.
The United States has been a counterdrug partner of Colombia, having contributed billions of dollars to the effort since 2000.
Colombia is the source of more than 90 percent of the cocaine and 50 percent of the heroin entering the United States, the report said. It is also a leading user of precursor chemicals and the focus of significant money laundering activity.
In Afghanistan, the U.S. military deposed the Taliban government in November 2001. President Hamid Karzai has been in charge since then with strong American backing.
"Dangerous security conditions make implementing counternarcotics programs difficult and present a substantial obstacle to both poppy eradication efforts by the national government and to international efforts to provide related assistance," the report said.
Also contributing to the situation is the destruction resulting from 25 years of conflict, the lack of legitimate income streams, and the limited enforcement capacity of the national government, the report said.
A five-point plan for Afghanistan developed in the latter half of 2004 includes promotion of alternative crops for poppy farmers, ground eradication and interdiction of heroin labs.
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