Pubdate: Wed, 21 Aug 2002
Source: Star, The (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2002 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com.my
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/922

RAKHMONOV CRACKS DOWN ON DRUGS WITH EXILE WARNING

DUSHANBE: Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov stepped up his country's losing 
battle against drugs on Monday, threatening to exile entire villages if one 
resident was found participating in the country's flourishing drug trade.

"From now on, even if just one resident from a border village is involved 
in drug trafficking, the entire village will take responsibility," 
Rakhmonov said, adding that all village residents "will be moved to other 
regions in the country."

Military officials have said that around 1,000 Tajiks living on the 
country's southern border with Afghanistan are suspected of involvement in 
drug trafficking.

The former Soviet republic has become a favoured point of passage for drugs 
from Afghanistan, sharing a 1,200km border with the world's biggest 
producer of opium and heroin by far.- AFP
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens