Poppy force formed
2005-02-02 20:53
Kabul - Afghanistan, the world's largest opium producer, on Wednesday launched a new force to eradicate poppy crops across the war-torn country.
Deputy interior minister General Mohammad Daud, who inaugurated the 700-strong "Central Poppy Eradication Force", said it would have another 2 300 men by the end of the year.
Counter-narcotics forces have destroyed 14 800ha of poppies during the last three months, Daud said, adding that 2005 has been declared poppy eradication year in Afghanistan.
The force was created last year with funds provided by the United States under an international anti-narcotics programme, its commander General Mohammad Zahir Aghber said.
According to the United Nations, last year there were about 130 000ha on which poppies were cultivated in the country.
"In eastern Nangarhar province 70% of poppy fields were eradicated, in southeastern Helmand 50%, and in northeastern Badakhshan poppy was not cultivated on 60% of the land this year," Daud claimed, refering to three main producer provinces.
Opium production in Afghanistan increased by 64% last year and it now accounts for 87% of the worldwide production of opium.
In December President Hamid Karzai declared a "jihad" or holy war against drugs, while the international community decided to make the fight against drug cultivation in Afghanistan a top priority.
- AFP