Crackdown on drug cultivation in Afghanistan

The European Commission welcomes new measures to eradicate cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan, and promises to support the fight against illegal drugs in the country. The Commission is ready to provide swift assistance to the regions dependent on poppy production. The Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten said "We will fully support the Afghan Interim Administration in its fight against drugs. In recent years the overwhelming majority of the opium-related drugs found on Europe's streets has come from Afghanistan, where they devastate young lives and fund organized crime. These drugs are a menace to Europe and a menace to Afghanistan. It is profoundly in the interests of both Europe and Afghanistan that farmers should know they do not have to choose between poverty and poppy production. We will play our part in ensuring they have an alternative. Beating drugs helps beat terrorism, and will help Afghans and Afghanistan a brighter future."

The European Commission welcomes the new measures announced on 3rd April by Chairman Karzai, which confirm the commitment of the Afghan Interim Administration (AIA) to eliminate production, processing and trafficking of illicit drugs. We understand that eradication will begin on 8th April, and farmers whose crops are destroyed in the presence of special inspectors, will be compensated at a level, which will exceed the revenue available from growing wheat. The AIA says those who persist in cultivation will have their land confiscated, while trafficking, and possession will be subject to prison sentences.

These measures strengthen the ban on opium announced by Chairman Karzai on 17 January 2002. Firm implementation of the measures set out in his new plan is required.

The Commission strongly believes that if not curbed, opium cultivation and narcotics trafficking pose a serious threat to security and reconstruction in Afghanistan. The trade in illegal drugs has both contributed to and become a symptom of Afghanistan's status as a failed state. Drug money, organized crime and terrorist networks are closely entangled. The fight against drugs must now be linked to rural development and poverty reduction.

The Commission is ready to act swiftly to provide assistance to the regions dependent on poppy production, and to develop long-term alternative livelihoods in those areas. This will be covered by a €28 million package for rural recovery and food security which the EC is currently finalizing. First operations under this package will start in June 2002. The EU will not contribute to the direct payments to farmers, offered by the AIA.

In addition, the Commission intends to offer technical assistance to help the AIA strengthen its counter-narcotics policymaking and law enforcement capacity. A €500,000 contribution is being prepared under the Rapid Reaction Mechanism.

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• EU humanitarian aid for Afghanistan (17/6/2002)
• EU humanitarian aid to Afghanistan (30/4/2002)