Pubdate: Tue, 20 Mar 2001
Source: The Daily Star (Lebanon)
Contact:  http://www.dailystar.com.lb/
Forum: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/post/

FARMERS IGNORING DRUGS WARNING, MP SAYS

Drug cultivation is back in the Bekaa, according to Baalbek-Hermel MP 
Hussein Husseini. Husseini, who met President Emile Lahoud Monday for 
talks on the country's socio-economic problems, said that "in my 
view, dealing with agricultural issues is no less important than 
dealing with the economic crisis and public debt." Husseini said that 
like the government, he opposes planting cannibas in Baalbek-Hermel 
region, but that illegal crops still exist.

"In fact, cannabis cultivation has again spread because the state 
abandons its responsibility toward this region and its inhabitants," 
he said.

Army helicopters dropped leaflets over the region Friday warning 
against drug cultivation, but Husseini said the real solution 
involved implementing a development plan and supporting alternative 
crops.
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