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Afghanistan: Security chief confirms MPs' role in drug trade
(AKI) - Abdollah Loghmani, deputy chief of Afghanistan's security services, has confirmed recent claims that members of the Vali Jirga, or the lower house of Parliament are involved in drug production and trafficking.Loghmani, who was speaking in Parliament, confirmed the claims made by independent MP Khaled Pashtun and others adding that " the security services have gathered sufficient proof on this suggestion". However, he did not want to supply documentation, considered a state secret, to the parliamentary commission. Concern about the Taliban and the funds it raises from drug trafficking in Afghanistan and other sources abroad is generating widespread debate in the European Parliament. Several European MPs have called on the European Commission and the European Union's Council, its main decision body, to do more to stop the Taliban from trafficking drugs and drawing funds from outside the country. The European Parliament is expected to look at the issue once again in September. Abdollah Loghmani added that the "parliamentarians involved in drug trafficking, are also supporters of terrorist groups that operate in the south of the country". Several MPs called on the government to declassify any proof of the links and make it available to the lower house to help it identify the MPs guilty of trafficking and collaboration with the Taliban. Posted by: Fred 2008-08-09 |
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