Afghan official doubts creation of new ministry to help fight against drugs.
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The deputy head of Afghanistan’s anti-narcotics commission, Abdol Razaq Asmar, feels that converting the commission into a ministry is not the best way to tackle the drug problem as the many aspects of this struggle are currently shared between many ministries. The creation of one ministry could cause problems as this one body could become overloaded and struggle to cope. However, he is optimistic that the conference in Kabul has demonstrated the government’s serious intention to tackle this problem. The following is text of interview by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 10 December, subheading inserted editorially: [Announcer] Dear listeners, our colleague has set up an interview with Mr [Abdol Razaq] Asmar, deputy head of the Afghan anti-narcotics commission, who is talking about the aims and results of the national anti-narcotics conference held in Kabul. He says: [Asmar in Dari] As you know, our country holds a jerga [national conference] for every serious and important matter. At his oath-taking ceremony, Mr [Hamed] Karzai said that one of his important tasks was to combat the cultivation and production of narcotics in Afghanistan. So a great national gathering had to be held in order to give a boost to the government’s decision and decree. Mr Karzai and others delivered speeches on this matter. In addition to government officials, elders and representatives of various tribes took part in this great national conference. Mr Karzai wanted to emphasize the fight against drugs by holding such a conference, and he wanted to indicate that he is serious about fighting this phenomenon. He asked his people to get rid of poppy cultivation all over Afghanistan. So I think this is an important and effective act aimed at eliminating narcotics production in the country. There is no doubt that various departments will implement the instructions of the Afghan president to destroy poppy fields after this conference. [Correspondent] It is said that high-ranking government officials are involved in the business of poppy cultivation. And besides, governors, mayors and district officials are participating in this conference. Do you think this conference will yield positive results? [Asmar] Let me tell you that there are lots of problems linked to the expansion of narcotics cultivation in Afghanistan. They must be sorted out and we must put a stop to poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. As to the government officials who are involved in this business, I must say that the Afghan interior minister [Ali Ahmad Jalali] has announced that he has a list of those who are involved in this business, and if they do not cease their involvement in it, then he will inform the media and take serious action against them. We have such problems in our society. But I must say that I believe the results of this conference will be very effective indeed. The president is giving people a final warning by holding such a national conference. This conference confirms the government’s anti-narcotics policy, and no one will be exempt from this, whether he is a government employee or an ordinary resident of the country. The fight against drug cultivation will be carried out. In his opening speech to the conference, Hamed Karzai said that the government will help only those farmers who were forced by poverty to start poppy cultivation, while those who want to make a profit from this business will be punished and will not be allowed to continue poppy cultivation. He also said that he would not allow Afghanistan’s reputation to be damaged by the cultivation of drugs. So, in my opinion, effective results will follow on from this massive consultative conference. The presence of a large number of people at the national anti-narcotics conference is a warning to those criminals involved in the drugs business. Drugs ministry [Correspondent] Some reports say that a number of Afghan political experts have said that the Afghan anti-narcotics commission should be changed into a ministry. If the commission is converted into a ministry in the new cabinet, how effective would that be in fighting narcotics? More : accessmylibrary.com |