|
|
Article: AFGHANISTAN - Apr 6 - Karzai For Holy War On Opium Trade.(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- APS Diplomat Recorder
- Article date:
- April 10, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Input Solutions. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Pres. Karzai urges Afghans to join a holy war against drugs, as opium poppy farmers protest for a second day against a government initiative to eradicate their crops. (Afghanistan is the world's biggest producer of opiates and supplies the opium base for about 95% of the heroin consumed in the UK). At a press conference at his Kabul palace, Karzai call on tribal elders and theologians to join the struggle, saying: "A jihad should start across the country. We must rid this country of poppy and return Afghanistan to legitimate forms of agriculture". He says the government aims to eradicate 25% of the poppy crop this year, which is on track to beat last year's bumper harvest ...