NationStates Jolt Archive

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/2005_Afghan_opium_harvest_begins

Last year 80% of the world's opium came from Afghanistan and production is up over 239% since 2003, according to U.S. government estimates. Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of illegal drugs.

Now, considering that the Bush administration's stance is that drugs fund terrorists, don't you think that the hotbed which grew the Taliban and harbored Osama should be growing less, opium poppies after the US invaded? Isn't Al Qaeda supposed to be running out of money, according to the administration? Are they talking out of both sides of their mouth yet again?

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/2005_Afghan_opium_harvest_begins


Now, considering that the Bush administration's stance is that drugs fund terrorists, don't you think that the hotbed which grew the Taliban and harbored Osama should be growing less, opium poppies after the US invaded? Isn't Al Qaeda supposed to be running out of money, according to the administration? Are they talking out of both sides of their mouth yet again?

The reason Afghanistan produces so much opium is becuase the Bush administration allows its production.

It was actually covered by 20/20 a long time ago.
Ever wonder why those warlords who control the afghan countryside are allowed to produce it?
Becuase they have a standing deal with the American Government.
They are allowed to grow opium unmolested, and in return, they dont overthrow Kharzai.

You ever wonder where those warlord get all that money for tanks, and jeeps and guns and ammo galore?

From selling opium, of course.

But it should probably be said that warlords aren't necessarily terrorists. I would imagine that the majority of those sympathetic to AQ or the Taliban would have taken up arms against the Northern Alliance and have thus been eliminated.

But it should probably be said that warlords aren't necessarily terrorists. I would imagine that the majority of those sympathetic to AQ or the Taliban would have taken up arms against the Northern Alliance and have thus been eliminated.


That is true, these warlords are not terrorists.
However, they produce the majority of the opium, in the world.

Opium....gets turned into heroin...and ends up on our streets.

The Bush administration, allows this to happen.

That is true, these warlords are not terrorists.
However, they produce the majority of the opium, in the world.

Opium....gets turned into heroin...and ends up on our streets.

The Bush administration, allows this to happen.
Two things:
a) If Afghanistan doesn't make it, some other place will. As long as there is demand, there will be supply.

b) The support for the farmers in Afghanistan has been weak. Those guys have a choice of making poppies and barely earning enough to feed their families, or growing wheat or something and make less than half.
The alternative should be made viable to them at the same time as the actual supply ring gets shut down. Otherwise you'll leave them stranded.

But it should probably be said that warlords aren't necessarily terrorists. I would imagine that the majority of those sympathetic to AQ or the Taliban would have taken up arms against the Northern Alliance and have thus been eliminated.

They're not "terrorists," but they're not loyal to the central government either. I'm sure some of them funnel money out of the country as well. Also, if the majority of AQ and Taliban elements had been eliminated (without replacements,) then there wouldn't be a continuing "instability" in Afghanistan either.

They're not "terrorists," but they're not loyal to the central government either. I'm sure some of them funnel money out of the country as well. Also, if the majority of AQ and Taliban elements had been eliminated (without replacements,) then there wouldn't be a continuing "instability" in Afghanistan either.
Fair enough. It's fairly obvious that much of the money funds seedy elements which are likely to have some contacts to extremist groups.

Here's the transcript of a good report I watched a few months ago. It also covers the locals, which is important IMHO:
http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2005/s1444538.htm

Afghanistan producing more opium than ever. There was also a lot of Opium been produced when the Russians had a puppet Gov...But Yes...The US puppet Gov is braking the Russian records...

The only Gov that was serious about slowing down Opium Production was the Taliban...

The Taliban installed public execution of Drug Lord and their private Armies...I guess the Islamists/Integrist hate drugs, sex and Alcohol...

Thats why most Muslim parties suck...
Those Muslims do not know how to have fun... :D

I say we create a "Las Vegas" in Kabul...with NewOrleans Mardi-Gras-Orgies every Saturday :fluffle:

The only Gov that was serious about slowing down Opium Production was the Taliban...

The Taliban installed public execution of Drug Lord and their private Armies...


The idea that that taliban was against Opium production is an oft-repeated canard.

They were against consumption (by the believers), but not against production (and sent for consumption to unbelievers).

They destroyed opium production when it was feeding the channels of other warlords and this is misconstrued as their attempt to remove opium due to religious beliefs.

Where did the money for the taliban came from when they had no industries contributing to economy?

Well, whoever did whatever way back when, the country is under new management, and it is Britain's and America's fault now.

Well, if we don't give them the money to rebuild their economy I guess the international heroin trade will. Just think, for a couple of measly billion dollars spent on infrastructure kids in the USA wouldn't have the opportunity to get hooked on low priced, high purity junk. I hope Jenna and Barbara Bush end up heroin addicts who support their addiction through prostitution. Especially Barbara. She's kinda cute.

I say We restablish the Opium Office and hand the bally lot over to be run by good old Civil Servants and let us have cheap Laudanum

I say We restablish the Opium Office and hand the bally lot over to be run by good old Civil Servants and let us have cheap Laudanum
Ah yes, shades of the Honourable East India Company's First, Second and Third Afghan Wars. Gotta love colonialism. :p

But hey, you know now that I've thought some more about it, maybe having the druggies finance the rebuilding of Afghanistan isn't such a cruel idea. :D

The idea that that taliban was against Opium production is an oft-repeated canard.Yet...the Stats do not Lie...

the minute the Taliban went down...Opion Production went Up...record numbers...

Yet...the Stats do not Lie...

the minute the Taliban went down...Opion Production went Up...record numbers...
As I recall there was still plenty of Heroin on the streets during the Taliban years, and it was just as pure as it is today. The price hasn't even changed.

Yet...the Stats do not Lie...

the minute the Taliban went down...Opion Production went Up...record numbers...

Yes, but your this statement is misleading and based on wrong information

The only Gov that was serious about slowing down Opium Production was the Taliban...

The Taliban installed public execution of Drug Lord and their private Armies...I guess the Islamists/Integrist hate drugs

IIRC, talibani clerics even issued a fatwa that opium production is permissible if the opium is intended only for unbelievers.

The current situation is very dicey.

Many of the warlords and regional commanders who are currently on the side of the coalition make money and sustain their armies by controlling the opium.

If US pressures them, they will simply switch sides. The farmers too will switch sides. The coalition has no choice but to play along for now.

Afghanistan has to built from the ground up and it will take years if not decades to become a normal society.