From The Los Angeles Times, 1/2/05:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghandrugs2jan02,0,7979679.story?coll=la-home-headlines
An Afghan Quandary for the U.S.
Bush administration is split over a response to a likely record opium
poppy crop: push for aerial eradication or let local officials handle
it?
By Sonni Efron, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON --
With a bumper poppy harvest expected in Afghanistan in the new year, a
debate has erupted within the Bush administration on whether the
United States should push for the crop's destruction despite the
objections of the Afghan government.
Some U.S. officials advocate aerial spraying to reduce the opium crop,
warning that if harvested, it could flood the West with heroin, fill
the coffers of Taliban fighters and fund terrorist activity in
Afghanistan and beyond.
They estimate the haul could earn Afghan warlords up to $7 billion, up
from a record $2.2 billion in 2004.
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Now that's definitely a Georgie Bush accomplishment. Don't you dare
forget to thank him for it.
Harry
.
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