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2004-08-18 Afghanistan/South Asia

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Posted by Steve 2004-08-18 2:42:25 PM|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 These âinsurgentsâ may well be Al Qaeda, or remnants of the Taliban providing armed escort for drug dealers.

The Konar area is one of Afghanistanâs many opium poppy growing regions and Nangalam central to that cultivation effort. Making the âdrug connectionâ even more probable is that Nangalam is home to the U.S. Special Forces Base-Camp Blessing, and the poppy fields are within easy view of the camp.

Poppy cultivation would have begun in the late February, early March time frame, with harvesting approximately four months later; hence, the appearance of âinsurgentsâ in the area to escort the product across the border into Pakistan.

With its once plentiful funding for terrorism through non-profits and third parties drying up, Al Qaeda, and its ilk are turning to international drug dealing to fill their coffers. And, whereas, prior to 9-11 the Taliban had nearly wiped out poppy cultivation as it was âagainst the teachings of the Koranâ, itâs now business as usual.

Posted by RN 2004-08-18 4:03:17 PM|| 2004-08-18 4:03:17 PM|| Front Page Top

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