IRAN WINS PRAISE FOR WAR ON DRUGS by Kamal Siddiqi Copyright (c) 1997, Asia Times Asia Times March 5, 1997 Pg. 5 It was not a surprise that the infamous Golden Crescent comprising Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan once again featured prominently in the annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board, released on Tuesday. The surprise was that the news out of Iran was actually good. It was given high marks for its efforts at eradicating opium cultivation and fighting the drug trade. "Reports from Iran are incredibly good," said Giovanni Quaglia of the United Nations International Drug Control Program when the report was released. "The government has managed to invest US$ 300 million in infrastructure projects on the border with Pakistan and this has had a positive effect in combating the crossborder drug trade." The UN itself cannot match Iran's commitments. A meager US$ 16 million is being invested by the UN in parts of Afghanistan over a fouryear period to curtail poppy cultivation. Afghanistan has earned the dubious distinction of emerging as the world's largest producer of illicit opiates. Pakistan stands as one the countries hardest hit by narcotics abuse, with more than three million chronic drug abusers out of a population of nearly 130 million. Quaglia said 90 percent of opium cultivation areas in Afghanistan were under the control of the Taliban militia, who control most of the country. "We are working with the Taliban provincial administration to start schemes in certain districts of Afghanistan," he said. While drug use in Pakistan is high, the country did win praise for its efforts in eradicating opium cultivation. An analysis of the 1996 growing season suggested a substantial decline in the area harvested, from 4,709 hectares in 1995 to 1,038 hectares. UN officials also expressed satisfaction over cooperation between Pakistan and India in the control of drug trafficking. "It is one of the only things in which the two countries cooperate," said Dil Jan Khan, Pakistan's representative to the narcotics control board. In Southeast Asia, the report said the surrender in Myanmar of insurgent leader Khun Sa and resulting closure of clandestine refineries had created a shortage of heroin in Thailand and higher prices for the drug on the MyanmarThai border. It said opium smoking was diminishing in most of Asia, but was being replaced by heroin injection, "a far more dangerous practice". It also expressed concern over the growing popularity of stimulants, such as ecstasy and methamphetamine.