Pubdate: Tue, 23 Apr 2002
Source: BBC News (UK Web)
Copyright: 2002 BBC
Contact: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/forum/
Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/558

DRUGS TALKS OPEN IN JAPAN

A two-day international conference on drug control has opened in Tokyo, 
with attention expected to focus on ways of stopping production of opium 
and heroin in Afghanistan.

In an opening speech, the former Japanese Prime Minister, Ryutaro 
Hashimoto, said it was desperately important that the Afghan economy be 
revived without reliance on the growing of opium poppies.

Japan is one of the main donors for the programme of reconstruction in 
Afghanistan.

The meeting has been organised by the United Nations and is being attended 
by representatives from more than 35 nations.

Russia is reported to be offering the use of its satellite-launching 
centres for a proposed global scanning programme to identify poppy fields 
and other drugs trade facilities.
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