Pubdate: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 Source: Advertiser, The (Australia) Copyright: 2002 Advertiser Newspapers Ltd Contact: http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1 Author: Michael Zielenziger OPIUM BAN AT RISK AFGHAN tribal leaders have launched their toughest challenge yet to interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai, warning him not to destroy a vast poppy crop that is almost ready to harvest. Tribal leaders and commanders from Helmand, Paktia and Nangahar provinces demanded "leniency" in implementing the policy because so many farmers were unwilling to destroy a lucrative crop, a senior government official said yesterday. The challenge highlights Mr Karzai's lack of support in Afghan society. He needs to curb opium production to win the backing of the international community but doing so would undercut his position at home, where local warlords still rule much of the country. Interior Minister Yunus Qanooni said his ministry was determined to continue its effort. "There are some people who opposed our plans" to eradicate the harvest "and don't want us to force them to do it", Mr Qanooni said. "But the UN and the international community demand that we take strong action against drug trafficking." Two years ago, Afghanistan supplied 70 per cent of the world's opium, says the CIA, until the former Taliban leadership cut cultivation. After the Taliban regime collapsed six months ago, many farmers who had once cultivated poppies rushed back into the fields. Last week, the Karzai Government said it would pay farmers about $1100 per hectare to destroy their poppy crops. It vowed to send police to tear up the plants if farmers refused to comply. Many doubt the Government can implement the edict. Yesterday, a joint military operation uncovered a cache of 150 Chinese-made rockets, underscoring the shaky nature of Mr Karzai's Government. The rockets were the same type as fired at security forces last week, peacekeepers said. It was unclear whether the weapons were intended to be used against the International Security Assistance Force. Meanwhile, a second wave of British commandos yesterday landed in Afghanistan to join US-led forces fighting Taliban and al-Qaeda guerillas. The 120 Royal Marines marched off Hercules planes at the main base with weapons, heavy packs and equipment for missions in tortuous terrain that soars to 4000m. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom