Brussels, 05/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission welcomed new measures by the Afghan Interim Administration (AIA) to eradicate cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan, and its promises to support the fight against illegal drugs in the country. The Commission will supply funding to reconverting producer areas, as well as technical assistance for anit-drug policies. Good Community funding use will be inspected by Afghan controllers. On Wednesday, Afghan President Karzaï confirmed the commitment of the AIA to eradicate production, manufacture and trafficking of drugs, the process will begin on 8 April. The Commission strongly believes that if not curbed, opium cultivation and narcotics trafficking pose a serious threat to security and reconstruction in Afghanistan. The trade in illegal drugs has both contributed to and become a symptom of Afghanistan's status as a failed state. Drug money, organised crime and terrorist networks are closely entangled. The fight against drugs must now be linked to rural development and poverty reduction. The Commission will provide assistance to the regions dependent on poppy production, and to develop long-term alternative livelihoods in those areas.
The Commission is currently finalising aid of EUR 28 million for the reconversion of rural areas and food safety. The first operations coming under this aid will begin in June (the EU will not contribute to direct payments to farmers, which will be covered by the AIA - Afghan Interim Administration). Furthermore, the Commission plans to provide technical assistance to help the AIA to strengthen its anti-narcotics policy, including its judiciary structure. To this end, a contribution of EUR 500,000 will be granted under the rapid reaction mechanism.
Commissioner Chris Patten commented: "We will fully support the Afghan Interim Administration in its fight against drugs. In recent years the overwhelming majority (Ed.: 80-90%) of the opium-related drugs found on Europe's streets has come from Afghanistan. (…) It is profoundly in the interest of both Europe and Afghanistan that farmers should know they do not have to choose between poverty and poppy production. We will play our part in ensuring they have an alternative. Beating drugs helps beat terrorism, and will help Afghans and Afghanistan to a brighter future".