By Colum Lynch and Griff Witte
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, August 28, 2007; Page A07

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 27 -- Opium production in Afghanistan has increased by 34 percent over the past year, and the country is now the source of 93 percent of the heroin, morphine and other opiates on the world market, according to a report by the United Nations' anti-drug agency.

"Afghanistan's opium production has thus reached a frighteningly new level, twice the amount produced just two years ago," says the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime's annual opium survey, released Monday in Kabul.

"Leaving aside 19th-century China . . ., no country in the world has ever produced narcotics on such a deadly scale," the report notes.

The surge in opium production has frustrated U.S. and NATO military commanders, who believe that the trade plays a major role in funding a Taliban insurgency that has become increasingly deadly over the past two years. Commanders also believe that the involvement of public officials in the drug trade has undermined Afghans' confidence in their government.

Neighborhoods of mansions have gone up in Afghan cities in recent years, with many of the houses financed by drugs. The newfound wealth in a country that remains desperately poor has spurred resentment among many Afghans who blame their government and the international community for not doing more to give people an economic alternative to poppies.

Seven years ago, the Taliban leader Mohammad Omar banned the cultivation of opium poppies -- but not their export -- on the grounds that growing them violated the principles of Islam. But the report says that Taliban leaders have reversed their position and are now using drug profits to buy weapons and logistical equipment and to pay the salaries of their militia.

The vast majority of Afghanistan's opium poppies are grown along the border with Pakistan, in five southwestern provinces with a Taliban presence, according to the report. Helmand, a Taliban stronghold that accounts for half of the country's opium, "has become the world's biggest source of illicit drugs, surpassing the output of entire countries like Colombia (coca), Morocco (cannabis), and Myanmar (opium) -- which have populations up to twenty times larger."

"The Afghan situation looks grim, but it is not yet hopeless," the drug agency's executive director, Antonio Maria Costa, said in a prepared statement. He cited evidence that several provinces in central and northern Afghanistan have eradicated their opium fields. The northern Afghan province of Balkh has seen a decline in opium cultivation from 17,000 acres to zero. The report attributes the drop to economic incentives and security guarantees that "have led farmers to turn their back on opium."

Witte reported from Islamabad, Pakistan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...tml?nav=rss_business

I am not disputing the 93%

But does that include the legal Opium that drug users manufacturer worldwide?

I wonder what dent they have been making in the illegal drug trafficking?

Only the Washington Post would have two writers named Colum Lynch and Griff Witte....

"I say Colum, old boy, what say you to writing a story about the Afghan opium trade?"

"Why Griff, that's an absolutely smashing idea. Let me finish my tennis date with Buffy out at the Club in the Hamptons and I'll get right back to you."

quote:

The surge in opium production has frustrated U.S. and NATO military commanders, who believe that the trade plays a major role in funding a Taliban insurgency that has become increasingly deadly over the past two years. Commanders also believe that the involvement of public officials in the drug trade has undermined Afghans' confidence in their government

This is what is making the world more dangerous. Again, I am not sure why our military resources went to Iraq when it is clear than Afghanistan is the haven for terror.

Hell, I am the one who dosen't support our troops though per the folks here

"Poppy fields forever!!!!"

quote:

Again, I am not sure why our military resources went to Iraq when it is clear than Afghanistan is the haven for terror.

Our troops are in afghanistan. Do you not watch the news?

quote:

Originally posted by wayoutfront:

quote:

Again, I am not sure why our military resources went to Iraq when it is clear than Afghanistan is the haven for terror.

Our troops are in afghanistan. Do you not watch the news?

You know you really are an extremist. The effort in Afghan is not nearly enough to compensate for what is happening there. Moreover, the 911 effort from the terrorists pointed to Afghan and not Iraq

Afghans have grown opium for centuries....and made some of the world's best, er...uh...strongest, hashish....what rock have you been under?

quote:

the 911 effort from the terrorists pointed to Afghan and not Iraq

contrary to what you believe

The WOT is much broader the 911

They do not supply anwhere near that % of the worlds opium for the manufacture of other controlled substances from it, be it legal for medicinal purposes or for illegal transformation to feed the world's addicts.

I don't dispute that the story was written, but I question it's reason for being written.

Was it done to lend credence to our further involvement there to "protect the world" form total addiction?

Give me a freakin' break. If you believe this, go buy some speculation condo's in Miami..I hear they are selling new at $464,000.00 for a 1 bedroom and possesing a resale value of $100,000.00.

That I believe!

Semper Fidelis

quote:

Originally posted by wayoutfront:

quote:

the 911 effort from the terrorists pointed to Afghan and not Iraq

contrary to what you believe

The WOT is much broader the 911

As per the NIE report the terrorists did not get to Iraq until after we did....Iraq did not attack the WTC

They're all freaking terrorists...

Break out the Paraquat and some Agent Orange.

quote:

Originally posted by Harpdawg:

quote:

Originally posted by wayoutfront:

quote:

the 911 effort from the terrorists pointed to Afghan and not Iraq

contrary to what you believe

The WOT is much broader the 911

As per the NIE report the terrorists did not get to Iraq until after we did....Iraq did not attack the WTC

which terrorists would that be

contrary to what you believe the WOT is not all about Alqueda

NO PARAQUAT!!!!!! I do not want to cough my brains out again!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by wayoutfront:

quote:

Originally posted by Harpdawg:

quote:

Originally posted by wayoutfront:

quote:

the 911 effort from the terrorists pointed to Afghan and not Iraq

contrary to what you believe

The WOT is much broader the 911

As per the NIE report the terrorists did not get to Iraq until after we did....Iraq did not attack the WTC

which terrorists would that be

contrary to what you believe the WOT is not all about Alqueda

AQII/AQ neither was there before we attacked Iraq

But Iraqs funding of the PLO to creat instability in the whole region doesn't count as terrorism

His Cash payments to suicide bombers doesn't = terrorist activity

Fact is Alqueda leadership ran to Iraq abd received safe haven after USA sent them packing from Iraq

so you view the war on terror as only against Alqueda that was in Afhanistan at the time of 911

Gotcha

I suppose Aloqueda in the Phillipines receive mercy and quarter from you as THEY are not our enemy?

I wrote this article for the 'Political Rhetoric' section of HotBoats Forums in 2004.

I think that the next president should do the following:

After Iraq, Iran should be next in line for invasion (Syria here we come). They (Iran) are developing nuclear capabilities and will be a threat to us if extreme radical elements ever take full control of the country. North Korea should be in the process of being bombed (News flash, there has been nuclear accidents at all suspected atomic sites in the Republic of North Korea).

I believe that the United States should pull all of its ground troops out of all the U. N. countries it currently has them in (they don’t support us anyway) and deploy them in Afghanistan. We would be closer to Pakistan and the fugitives that we are looking for.

Develop permanent military bases in remote areas defended by 24/7/365 unmanned air borne surveillance craft backed up by space stationed geostationary spy satellites and Patriot missiles batteries. Any unauthorized movement towards any U. S. military base would be eliminated (the rules of engagement have changed). Provide any and all equipment needed by the troops to win any conflict (I like that tax).

This location will give the United States of America the capabilities of militarily reaching anyone that support terrorism against us and any country that supports us. We should eliminate the heads of state that support terrorism then leave the country. If new leaders are installed, we repeat the process.

We should create an economy for the Afghan citizens based on private companies (funded by the Pentagon) rebuilding the infrastructure of the country.

Revive the intelligence community by using the human contact factor and gather information that will lead us to successful strikes against the leaders of the Islamic movement against us. Planning is the key to results.

Enlist the help of U. S. bounty hunters to track down the people we are looking for.

Dam the Kabul River and others to provide improved irrigation for crop use. This will jump start the agricultural requirements to feed the countries population.

Modernize the heroine production capabilities of Afghanistan and provide the product to the pharmaceuticals of the world undercutting prices offered by all other suppliers.

Establish the world’s larges solar panel array to provide electricity to the region.

Amend the constitution to compel all U. S. citizens to serve in the military for at least two years and pay them well with government support for their families. We can not win without a standing military of al least 1 million. There are a lot of radicals over there (and maybe next door).

Replace the secretary of defense with a secretary of war. This will clarify what needs to be done.

Lastly, I am confident that all on this forum, including myself, would volunteer in a New York minute to defend this country by joining the military and traveling to foreign countries and using the latest military arsenals to defeat the radicals on their own soil if we are ever again attacked here in our homes. This patriotism would protect our loved ones and guarantee that they will continue living in freedom.

quote:

Originally posted by 15345138:
I wrote this article for the 'Political Rhetoric' section of HotBoats Forums in 2004.

I think that the next president should do the following:

..

I seem to keep falling asleep and cant get past that part....

GunnyBrown1775,

It appears that the SRS for FTM is working just fine in your case.

The metoidioplasty, penile implantation for the neo-phallus, and the insertion of testicular implants into your labia are very impressive, is always sad that the work has to be so hard to fit in.

quote:

Originally posted by Harpdawg:

quote:

Originally posted by wayoutfront:

quote:

the 911 effort from the terrorists pointed to Afghan and not Iraq

contrary to what you believe

The WOT is much broader the 911

As per the NIE report the terrorists did not get to Iraq until after we did....Iraq did not attack the WTC

Although Iraq attacked coalition warplanes flying the "no fly zones" almost every month.

That my friend is an overt act of aggression, and was dealt with.

Why the whinging about too little US troops fighting in Afgahnistan? Instead foccus on our so called "Allies/NATO" contributions in the fight.

Most of the Opium in question is thought to be sent to Europe, yet with the exception of the Dutch, Brits and a few smaller countries, the other big players- Germany & FFFFrance, find excuse'es not to be more pro-active in "ongoing" combat in the Southern provinces.

And somehow the "moveon" types manage to spin this whole issue as a solely US problem- it is a *World problem, and a most pressing NATO response is required.

What b.s. spin of the anti-war/US, that the USA should sent more troops to Afgahnistan to combat the taleban, who are exporting a majority of their opium to Europe, when "some" NATO combat troops already "in country", *WILL NOT FIGHT*

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Shaneo,

quote:

Originally posted by 15345138:
GunnyBrown1775,

It appears that the SRS for FTM is working just fine in your case.

The metoidioplasty, penile implantation for the neo-phallus, and the insertion of testicular implants into your labia are very impressive, is always sad that the work has to be so hard to fit in.

Yikes!!!!

Semper Fidelis

quote:

Originally posted by 15345138:
GunnyBrown1775,

It appears that the SRS for FTM is working just fine in your case.

The metoidioplasty, penile implantation for the neo-phallus, and the insertion of testicular implants into your labia are very impressive, is always sad that the work has to be so hard to fit in.

You know, you had some good points and ideas in your initial post, but this seccond post was risky move....and by that I mean stupid risky as in "I wonder what would happen if hold on to this cherry bomb right up to the point of explosion"

quote:

We should create an economy for the Afghan citizens based on private companies (funded by the Pentagon) rebuilding the infrastructure of the country.

Just want to take a second to comment on this which my response relates directly to the topic;

This was the plan, right up until the CIA found out that Bin laden was using vehicles and equipment gained/confiscated in ambushes on the Soviets to run opium over the border to Pakistan, thus funding Al Queda. This is a fact I gained directly from a Muslim, it's common knowledge in most Muslim circles that Bin Laden reaps approx. 75% of the profit from opium in Afghanistan.

Now back to your insult of Gunny B, dude you've got 5 post, he's a well liked and very popular member of this forum......advice, back off and apologize, because you shouldn't be making any insults to anyone when you look like this guy