Monday September 8, 2014
Kabul (BNA) The US allotted over $16million financial cooperation to those 15 provinces that have been poppy free in 2013 or necessary efforts are made in them to eradicate poppy. Programs’ coordinator of the US embassy in Kabul Paniel Phot appreciating the government activities in counterterrorism and said that this sum is spent in development projects through program of appreciating from good activities. He added that the residential people of 15 provinces that are poppy free would benefit directly from this contribution. The US new financial aid is spent in agricultural projects, establishment of new schools, health clinics and other development projects. Minister of Counter narcotics, Din Mohammad Mubarez Rashedi in ceremony of signing agreement told media that some changes have been occurred in program of appreciating from good activities and based on the same those provinces that have considerable measures should be also included of this program.
Rashedi added that only being poppy-free should not be criterion. For example: If a province implements the enforced law in a good manner, adopts measure in arresting of poppy traffickers and discovering narcotics, it should also be awarded. Bamyan, Ghazni, Jowzjan, Khost, Kunduz, Logar, Nooristan, Paktia, Paktika, Panjsher, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-i-pul, Takhar, Miadan-Wardak, Baghlan, Herat and Kunar are the provinces that are poppy-free and anyone got $1 million. Baghlan and Herat also were including of this program because of necessary measures adopted towards counter narcotics. At the same time, a number of witnesses regarded insufficient the performances made in connection with counter narcotics in Afghanistan.
Former minister of counter narcotics of Afghanistan, General Khuda Dad accused the government of Afghanistan as incompetency in counter narcotics and added that for uprooting of poppy in Afghanistan, first an influenced and corruption free government that have political determination should be established so in coordination and close joint efforts with regional and the world nations removes this phenomenon. A senator, Zalmai Zabuli criticizing the government said that the narco-mafia even enrooted in political circles of the government and the eradication of the same needs vast activities of the Afghan government and international community. At the same time, the authorities in government of Afghanistan have reasoned that comparing the income earns through narcotics in Afghanistan; the money which is spent for its eradication is very low. According to figures released by ministry of counter narcotics, the poppy fields in Afghanistan produce about 5,500 to 7,000 tons poppy annually.
But the advisors say that with complete withdrawal of the NATO forces from Afghanistan, the production and smuggling of narcotics would also get increased from this sum. A number of our compatriots believe that although the government of Afghanistan performed enormous activities in recent 13 years in connection with eradication of poppy in Afghanistan but the latter should also made efforts during its operations so the farmers not to resort to poppy cultivation again. One of Kabul citizens, Fayaz Ahmad says that more poppy trafficking is taken place by powerful individuals. He added that now in some parts of the Kabul city the heroin are sold freely. In coordination with police forces and National Directorate of Security, the government should make effort to prevent it. This is in a time that the government of Afghanistan has always proclaimed that some provinces are made poppy-free. But it is seen that not only poppy is not eradicated but it also increased comparing previous years.
