Ivanov urges intl force in Afghanistan to redouble anti-drug efforts

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6/6 Tass 30

SINGAPORE, June 6 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei
Ivanov on Sunday urged the International Security Assistance Force in
Afghanistan to redouble its efforts in counteracting the production and
trafficking of Afghan drugs.
"We believe that, the production and illegal trafficking of Afghan
drugs should be classified as a threat to international peace and
security. The whole international community and, first of all, those who
took the responsibility for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan,
namely the International Security Assistance Force, should make a strong
commitment to fight this threat," he said at the 9th IISS Asia security
summit "The Shangri-La Dialogue."
"However ambiguously the Soviet military presence in Afghanistan might
be viewed today, nobody disputes the fact that during that period
Afghanistan almost did not produce any drugs. The explanation is simple:
in spite of the military confrontation, the government of Afghanistan with
active support of the Soviet Union paid major attention to the social and
economic needs of the Afghan population," he noted.
Touching upon the current situation in Afghanistan, the Russian deputy
prime minister said: "Despite the Afghan government's efforts and many
years of foreign military presence in that country, the insurgents
continue to exercise control over the large part of its territory."
"The international terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda continues to
operate on its territory. Moreover, large part of the population of
Afghanistan is involved in the cultivation and production of opium and
opium products such as heroin. Narcotics have become the important source
of financial support for insurgency groups including Taliban and not only
to them.
"Today Russia is interested that the stabilization of Afghanistan
should be addressed taking into account the legitimate interests of all
parties concerned, including regional states, and that international
engagement in Afghanistan is transparent, balanced and based on
international law," he summed up.
-0-ras/kud