Pubdate: Fri, 13 Aug 2004
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2004 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221
Author: Benita Y. Williams

IN AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan produces about 70 percent of the world's opium. Revenue from 
opium production helped finance both the Taliban government and the 
al-Qaida terrorist network. Narcotics have also provided huge windfalls to 
the leftist guerrillas in Colombia. The White House claims that many 
terrorist groups are funded by illicit drugs.

In Afghanistan, poppy production is up from last year. It seems like the 
new Afghanistan administration, backed by President Bush, could have 
eliminated the growing of opium poppies by now. A crop of opium poppies 
doesn't hide out in the hills like al-Qaida.

Now I'm wondering what is really going on there. Are we getting the whole 
story?

Howard Flint
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