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NATO to target drug barons in Afghan south
KABUL - NATOs expansion into southern Afghanistan will target drug warlords who are the root cause of growing violence, the forces commander said on Saturday. NATO will embark on the biggest mission in its history on Monday when it takes over security from the US-led coalition in six southern provinces, extending its authority to almost all of the country.British Lieutenant-General David Richards said he hoped to see improvements in the south within three to six months, which would allow the 26-nation alliance to proceed with the final phase of its deployment into the east by the end of the year. Richards told a news conference in Kabul that the violence was inextricably linked to drugs. Essentially for the last four years some very brutal people have been developing their little fiefdoms down there and exporting a lot of opium to the rest of the world, he said. That very evil trade is being threatened by the NATO expansion in the south. This is a very noble cause were engaged in and we have to liberate the people from that scourge of those warlords. We do not want to target the farmers. Those people are in debt because of the drug barons, Richards said. Richards said the key elements of NATOs new role in the south, with the backing of up to 9,000 troops from 37 countries, would be to provide security to foster development, reconstruction and good governance. This will enable an alternative economy to that offered by the drug barons to develop, he said. (But) they are going to fight very hard to keep what theyve got, said Richards. I am not trying to achieve instant victory because I cant do that. Within three to six months I think well have a very clear idea (of how we are progressing).
Posted by: Steve White 2006-07-30 |
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