Pubdate: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 Source: New York Times (NY) Page: WK9 Copyright: 2010 The New York Times Company Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n000/a007.html Author: Harry L. Langer AFGHAN POPPIES, AMERICAN DILEMMA To the Editor: The United States is turning a blind eye to illegal Afghan poppy production to avoid alienating farmers by destroying their main cash crop. This policy is immoral, unethical and militarily counterproductive. Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium and a key supplier to international crime and drug syndicates. This drug is also the main financial support for Taliban insurgents and a main cause of government corruption, and destroys numerous lives worldwide. The solution: provide alternative staple crops and livelihoods for the Afghans. Initially the United States government could purchase and destroy the poppy crop. It could then provide cash payments for interim family support until alternative crops can be planted, plus seeds, plants, fertilizers, drip irrigation tubing and other equipment and technical assistance, provided that poppy planting will cease. This would create jobs in both the donor and recipient countries; enable the Afghans to feed themselves and develop export markets; win the hearts and minds of the population; cut off the primary revenue source sustaining Taliban insurgents; and help stabilize the country, curtail corruption and end the war. This approach is better, cheaper (a fraction of the cost of the war) and the right thing to do. Harry L. Langer New York - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake