War against terror conflicting with war against drugs
Shielded by the ongoing war against embedded terrorists, Afghanistan's opium poppy growers were able to more than double production during 2003, according to the White House's Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP).
The annual U.S. Government estimate for opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan shows that approximately 61,000 hectares of poppy were cultivated during the crop season in 2003 compared with 30,750 in 2002. Current cultivation levels equate to potential production of 2,865 metric tons of opium, an increase of 1,587 metric tons over the 2002 level.
According to the ODCP, the "challenging security situation" in Afghanistan has complicated the task of fighting a war against drugs and war on terrorism at the same time. As the terrorists lose ground, the opium poppy growers win, and much of the money from Afghanistan's opium sales goes right back to the terrorists.
"Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is a major and growing problem," said John Walters, Director of the ODCP. "Drug cultivation and trafficking are undermining the rule of law and putting money in the pocket of terrorists. The drug trade is hindering the ability of the Afghan people to rebuild their country and rejoin the international community. It is in the interest of all nations, including our European partners, to help the Karzai government fight the drug trade." |
