Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jun 2001 Source: Associated Press (Wire) Section: Washington Dateline Copyright: 2001 Associated Press Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/27 Author: Ken Guggenheim, Associated Press Writer DEA OFFICIAL SAYS AFGHAN OPIUM PRODUCTION IS FALLING WASHINGTON - After initial skepticism, U.S. officials now believe that Afghanistan's opium production has fallen sharply under a ban by the ruling Taliban militia, a Drug Enforcement Administration official said Friday. But concerns remain about how much opium poppy is already stockpiled in Afghanistan and how long the Taliban will enforce the ban, said Steven Casteel, the DEA's assistant administrator for intelligence. Last year, Afghanistan produced nearly 75 percent of the world's opium, the raw material for heroin. Most of that was sold in Europe. But in July, the Taliban banned poppy production. The Islamic militia controls 95 percent of Afghanistan. U.N. inspectors concluded in March that almost all the plants had been eliminated, but U.S officials were wary of Taliban claims. "In the past they have been pretty good at playing the pea under the shell game - saying laboratories were being dismantled ... and then we find out they popped up someplace else," Casteel said. Casteel said international inspectors following up the U.N. mission confirmed that poppy had been eradicated. That was backed up by some preliminary satellite images, he said. "I am comfortable from a law enforcement perspective that there has been a significant decrease in opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan," he said. Despite the decrease, Afghan opium remains widely available, though at much higher prices, Casteel said. He said Afghanistan may have stockpiled enough opium to meet its share of the world market for two or three years. A U.N. report last month accused the Taliban of using its supplies of opium and heroin to finance its war against northern rebels and to train terrorists. A Taliban official countered that most of the drugs were in areas controlled by the opposition. Casteel said another concern is whether Afghan farmers will resume cultivating opium. He noted because the ban was based on religion, the Taliban would have a hard time allowing production in the future. "My belief is that because they're backed into a corner, they're going to have to give a fairly significant attempt to make this work," he said. But he noted that farmers will need to make up for the lost income. Other nations will have to help with crop substitution programs, he said. "You've got to be prepared not just to pat them on the back and say 'good job,' but to go in there and support them somehow," he said. The Taliban have come under international criticism for its hardline interpretation of Islam. It has prohibited most girls from going to school and destroyed ancient statues, including two giant Buddhas. The U.N. Security Council has imposed sanctions on the Taliban to pressure them to turn over suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden for trial. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth