An Afghan Quandary for the U.S., Bush administration is split...LAT

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON — With a bumper poppy harvest expected in Afghanistan in the new year, a debate has erupted within the Bush administration on whether the United States should push for the crop's destruction despite the objections of the Afghan government.

Some U.S. officials advocate aerial spraying to reduce the opium crop, warning that if harvested, it could flood the West with heroin, fill the coffers of Taliban fighters and fund terrorist activity in Afghanistan and beyond. They estimate the haul could earn Afghan warlords up to $7 billion, up from a record $2.2 billion in 2004.
...
Although Afghan President Hamid Karzai has declared a "jihad" against the drug trade, he has vetoed aerial spraying. And his stance is supported by some U.S. officials, who warn that attempts at mass crop eradication in spring, during the campaign season for parliamentary elections scheduled for April, will alienate rural voters. Instead, they argue for a delay in crop eradication but a vigorous crackdown on drug traffickers.
...
"We still don't have a policy," a senior Republican congressional aide said on condition of anonymity.

The arguments over Afghan policy have cut across the usual administration lines, dividing policymakers within the State Department, National Security Council and Pentagon, administration and congressional sources said.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghandrugs2jan02,0,7979679.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[wolfgirl]

1. Best line....

"We still don't have a policy," a senior Republican congressional aide said on condition of anonymity.

What a joke...Bush & Co have no policy other than bankrupting this country and killing any liberal/progressive programs remaining. Oh...and world dominion.

[w4rma]

5. They don't have a clue either. (nt)

[acmavm]

2. Prosecute the drug pushers but don't destroy the drugs? Is it just me or

doesn't this seem rather stupid? Like someone else won't come along and take the place of the guy in the clink?

Afgan's economy is based on the poppy. Get real. Kill the poppy crop and you might just as well shoot Karzai while you're at it.

What a bunch of dipshits.

[comradebillyboy]

3. how cdan they get a cut of the heroin money?

thats the big question

[rodeodance]

4. one US troop died today in Afgan (was on the news today)

[reprobate]

6. CIA won't allow crop destruction.

This is thier primary source of funds for their black operations. And the CIA certainly wouldn't be the CIA without their black operations.

[Barrett808]

7. "Many drug traffickers have been U.S. allies"

Moreover, U.S. commanders fear that villagers will stop giving support and tips about insurgent activity if American soldiers begin interfering with their biggest source of income. In addition, many drug traffickers have been U.S. allies in the continuing struggle against the Taliban.

War on Drugs? War on Terror?

[Barrett808]

8. "sprayed safely in Colombia and elsewhere"

U.S. officials say the herbicide used is a very diluted form of Monsanto's Roundup, a glyphosate that is approved for use in American gardens and has been sprayed safely in Colombia and elsewhere. They note that anti-drug crews trying to destroy fields on the ground would need armed protection in many areas. And they say the sheer size of the Afghan crop makes aerial spraying the only real option.

I saw a Dutch TV show a few years back that showed chemical burns on Colombian children who swam in water contaminated by US aerial spraying.

"Sprayed safely" my ass.

[goforit]

10. Yep, saw that one too.

The GOP will be known as the "worst" STEWARDS of our EARTH!!!

[goforit]

9. The Bush Pretenders.(LOL) Pretend to destroy drugs yet in reality

they're making a huge profit off them.

Yah, you GOPrs, live in you're Disney World, but your gig is up!!

The whole world knows.

[oppositionmember]

11. Why not just outbid the warlords for the crop

then destroy it. Probably be cheaper than the alternative which is really not just spraying but spraying then fighting the bastards like in Iraq once the Taliban gets its act together again.