Pubdate: Fri, 14 Nov 2008
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Afghanistan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Taliban
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/poppy (Poppy)

POPPIES KEY TO BEATING TALIBAN

Defeating the Taliban requires unconventional measures, for they are 
an unconventional foe. One way to undermine their presence in 
Afghanistan would be to buy up Afghanistan's poppy harvest.

Last year, the Taliban earned approximately $100 million from the 
opium trade -- Afghanistan typically grows more than 90 per cent of 
the world's opium poppies. Bereft of strong government and stability, 
it is likely to do so well into the future despite the best efforts 
of NATO to eradicate poppy cultivation.

If NATO were to purchase the bulk of Afghan poppy production, the 
benefits would be huge. Afghan farmers could continue to turn a 
profit from poppies which, despite inflated food prices, still bring 
in triple the value of wheat crops. Western countries could recoup 
their investment by selling the opium to legitimate drug companies 
for production of narcotics like codeine and morphine. Prices for 
illicit opiates like heroin and opium would skyrocket, putting them 
beyond the reach of many addicts and forcing criminal syndicates out 
of business. And drug lords in Afghanistan, including al-Qaeda, would 
have less cash with which to fund jihad against our troops.

Legal poppy production would free Afghan farmers from the 
intimidation of drug lords and prove a boon to the country's withered 
economy and the world at large. According to the United Nations 
Office on Drugs and Crime, Afghan poppy production decreased by 19 
per cent in 2008 while the number of provinces blighted by opium 
production diminished from 18 to 13 as wheat cultivation has risen in 
response to soaring food prices. However, opium crop yields increased 
by more than six kilograms per hectare this year and production has 
outpaced demand for the third year in a row.

Global prices have not fallen appreciably, suggesting that 
narco-merchants are holding back supplies. A more innovative solution 
than playing catch-up to the traffickers is needed. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake