Afghan farmers, U.S.-trained police on collision course over opium crackdo

[Judi Lynn]

Afghan-Opium Protest
Afghan farmers, U.S.-trained police on collision course over opium crackdown

(Kandahar, Afghanistan-AP, Apr. 14, 2005 10:45 AM) _ Afghan farmers targeted in a U.S.-sponsored crackdown on drugs vowed Thursday to protect their opium crops, challenging President Hamid Karzai's plan to destroy the world's largest narcotics industry.

The campaign was suspended Tuesday when police sent to destroy opium poppy fields in southern Kandahar province opened fire on rock-throwing protesters. Seven people were hurt, though officials denied reported fatalities.
(snip)

Attaullah claimed foreigners -- apparently from a U.S. security firm that trained the eradication force -- had opened fire after protesters starting throwing stones. He claimed that three men had died and the farmers' resistance was hardening.

"We have decided we won't let them eradicate our poppy," he said. "That's our collective and final decision. We have nothing else to lose."
(snip/...)

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=3210330

[Dhalgren]

1. The Empeor's Occupation and Oppression troops

seem ill prepared for this particular duty. Prehaps the Emperor should go to Afghanistan, himself, and take charge of his troops there. I'm sure it is just a "leadership" issue. Maybe a new Imperial Governor will need to be named; the client king, Karzai seems ineffective in suppressing his people.

[Spazito]

2. Given the 'success' of the war on drugs in the US

any bets on how successful this will be, lol.

[MadHound]

3. Sorry, but this is all window dressing,

And a power play for who controls the crop. US forces either want a slice of the pie, or more likely, a much bigger slice, while the Afghan government has obligations of it's own to meet vis-a-vis the poppy crop. But trust me, it won't be destroyed.

For an in depth study of the involvement of US intelligence and military agencies in the poppy/heroin trade, I suggest that you read Alfred McCoy's excellent, insightful book "The Politics of Heroin". These sort of turf fights over the crop aren't new, and it is simply bickering over who gets how much, and the threats to destroy the crop are so much hot air.