Article

2006-12-18 Afghanistan

Afghanistan to spray chemicals to curb poppy crop

Afghanistans government Sunday warned farmers that it would spray chemicals to destroy poppy fields if the illegal crops are not eradicated in other ways. Yes, weve accepted in principle to use ground spray when its needed, Habibullah Qaderi, the minister for counter narcotics, told a news conference in Kabul. The minister did not say when the spraying will begin.

However, he made it clear that the government had rejected an aerial spray of poppy crops. We however oppose aerial spray, he said. Afghanistan this year produced 6,100 tons of opium - the raw ingredient for making heroin - which is enough for more than 90 percent of the worlds illegal drugs. Qaderi, along with interior minister Zarar Ahmad Muqbel, chaired a conference attended by the governors of 11 provinces where poppy cultivation is high. The conference was convened to discuss plans for poppy eradication in 2007.

Posted by Fred 2006-12-18 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11134 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The flip side is , and has been argued on here before , that once you take away a peasants main and only income , then what do they do and how do we fill the vacuum left .. Invariably they will side with the persons opposed to the government' creating a bigger divide than what was already there .. Something the Talib know only too welll , and will exploit . Destroying the opium fields is not going to win hearts and minds unfortunatly

Posted by MacNails 2006-12-18 11:43|| 2006-12-18 11:43|| Front Page Top

#2 Maybe they should offer incentives to grow hoodia plants and chili peppers for capsaicin, the diabetes "cure".

Posted by Danielle 2006-12-18 11:55|| 2006-12-18 11:55|| Front Page Top

#3 Maybe if they grew food instead of drugs....

Posted by Ebboth Ulimp5776 2006-12-18 12:49|| 2006-12-18 12:49|| Front Page Top

#4 Those who were growing opium poppies were already on the other side, whether or not they wanted to be. Their hearts and minds were not ours to win or lose.

A couple more statements like that, Anonymoose, and we'll start to suspect you of being an Englishman! ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2006-12-18 13:33|| 2006-12-18 13:33|| Front Page Top

#5 Sorry 'bout the confusion, Anonymoose, I seem to have conflated two threads. That bit about the little brown Ghurkas is what I was referring to.

Posted by trailing wife 2006-12-18 13:41|| 2006-12-18 13:41|| Front Page Top

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