Pubdate: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 Source: Reuters Copyright: 1999 Reuters Limited. Author: Tahir Ikram U.S. DRUGS OFFICIAL URGES POPPY ERADICATION ISLAMABAD, - U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Narcotics, Rand Beers, urged on Tuesday the complete eradication of poppy-growing in Pakistan to combat narcotics. Beers, on an official five-day visit to Pakistan, told Reuters Television that a combination of law enforcement and development programmes could force farmers to abandon poppy cultivation, the source of opium and heroin. "There is no question anywhere in the world that it is more economically advantageous for a small farmer to grow poppy than to grow any legal crop," he said. "The efforts that governments undertake have to involve a combination of different concepts. One is alternate development, but alternate programme in itself will never succeed. "You have to combine law enforcement in the alternate development, because no crop, no economic activity will be equal to the return that individuals get from growing narcotics substances." Pakistani authorities and farmers in the North West Frontier Province, which borders Afghanistan, have long demanded financial support from the United States to provide other sources of income for farmers who have traditionally grown poppy. Pakistani government officials have also sought more active international help in setting up development projects, including roads, hospitals, water supply and education in the country's most remote regions. But Beers said farmers would not stop growing poppy on the basis of economic incentives alone and the goverment must enforce its eradication programmes. "There is no way we can give farmers enough money that will keep the farmers from growing if the government does not enforce (eradication)," he said. Under a U.N. programme, Pakistan has pledged to eliminate poppy cultivation by year 2000. In 1998 more than 4,500 acres (1,822 hectares) of poppy crop were destroyed in tribal areas along the Afghan border. Another 2,000 acres (810 hectares) were destroyed by tribals voluntarily. The military has since 1987 helped to destroy crops where locals have refused to do so. Tribesmen, with little other viable source of income, say traders will pay 6,000 rupees ($130) per kg for poppy while wheat or onions fetch only a few rupees per kg. Governor Arif Bangash, top administrator of the North West Frontier Province, says eradication efforts are hampered because development projects do not keep pace with local needs. Under one programme, the United States and the United Nations have given Pakistan $12 million to fund a 10-year development plan in the province. But Bangash says the sum is far too small. - --- MAP posted-by: Rich O'Grady