Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2010 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Richard J. Brennan OTTAWA ADDS $25M TO FIGHT AFGHAN DRUG TRADE OTTAWA--Ottawa is stepping up its efforts to combat the opium trade in Afghanistan and in turn tighten the flow of money to insurgents, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said Thursday. Cannon, who is attending the London Conference on Afghanistan, announced the federal government is contributing $25 million toward counter-narcotic efforts, including improvements to policing and the criminal justice systems. That brings Canada's commitment to $55 million since 2007. "Canada recognizes that developing strong and effective counter-narcotics measures in Afghanistan is a vital element in the effort to help Afghans gain the security they need to build a long-term, stable, and prosperous future," Cannon stated in a release. "The ultimate goal is to assist Afghanistan as it transitions toward taking responsibility for its security, as the people of Afghanistan rebuild their country as a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society." The London Conference is focusing on security, development and governance, and international and regional coordination. The Canadian government believes that a sustained and significant reduction in the production and trafficking of narcotics with will lead to complete elimination, according a statement from the Foreign Affairs Department. "It will also be crucial to enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward official corruption; to pursue eradication as appropriate; to reinforce the message that producing or trading opiates is both immoral and a violation of Islamic law; and to reduce the demand for the illicit use of opiates," stated the release. More than 65 delegations attended the London Conference. It will be followed later this year by the Kabul Conference, which will further the initiatives put forward in London. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart