Pubdate: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 Source: Reuters (Wire) Copyright: 2002 Reuters Limited Author: Ayla Jean Yackley KARZAI STEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST AFGHAN POPPY CROP ANKARA - Afghan interim leader Hamid Karzai said on Thursday he was determined to stamp out poppy growing in Afghanistan and had passed a decree to destroy crops and compensate farmers. "Yesterday we issued a decree for the complete ban on the growth of poppies in Afghanistan and the trafficking of it in the form of drugs," Karzai said on a visit to Ankara. "We have announced measures that would enable the farmers to receive some assistance in return for the destruction of poppies," he said, after meeting Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Afghanistan was traditionally among the world's major opiate producers. Observers say production surged this year after a lull last year due to a ban by Afghanistan's former Taliban rulers on poppy cultivation. Opium growing plummeted last year to about 74 tonnes in 2001 from 3,656 tonnes in 2000, but since the Taliban fell the trade has flourished. A new crop is to be harvested within weeks. A U.N. report estimates 45,000 to 65,000 hectares (110,000 to 160,000 acres) of poppies were planted this season, with a potential yield of between 1,900 and 2,700 tonnes of opium, the raw ingredient for heroin. "We have made illegal the loans that some rich people give to farmers in return for the growth of poppies," Karzai said. Karzai banned cultivation of poppies in January but implementation has been difficult since the ban requires support from various factions around the country. Western diplomatic sources in Ankara said the new decree included provisions for the army to enforce destruction of poppies and said cash payments would be available for farmers who cooperate in destroying crops. Karzai said he discussed drug issues with officials in Turkey, a major transit country in the global trade bringing drugs to Europe and the United States. "Today, here with Prime Minister Ecevit we discussed all aspects of the poppy cultivation and drug trade and we asked the government of Turkey to cooperate with Afghanistan in continuing this fight against poppy cultivation and the smuggling and trading of it in all forms," Karzai said. It was not immediately clear how the measures, which include projects to boost employment in rural areas and encourage growing alternative crops, would be funded. Afghanistan has appealed for international financial support for such plans. Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said in Geneva on Wednesday Britain would be involved in plans to eradicate poppy growing in Afghanistan. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth