ID :
29663
Tue, 11/11/2008 - 19:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/29663
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Iranian envoy, El Pais editor-in-chief confer
Madrid, Spain, Nov 11, IRNA Iranian Ambassador to Madrid Davoud Salehi on Tuesday held talks with
Madrid-based daily El Pais editor-in-chief Javier Moreno on Iran's
progress in science and technology and perils of drug trafficking from
Afghanistan.
Given the upcoming 15 International Press and News Agencies Exhibition
slated for November 16-22, Salehi cited the event is a great
opportunity for introducing the El Pais daily to the Iranian people.
Referring to the Islamic Republic of Iran achievements in the fields
of mass media, the envoy said Iran has achieved a lot in science and
technology and the economic development.
Salehi also referred to Iran's mediation efforts for settling the
crisis in the regional countries.
"The presence of NATO troops not only create peace in the region, but
have increased the insecurity and production of opium in Afghanistan,"
he said.
He said some 8,700 tons of opium are produced in Afghanistan which is
major supplier of illicit drugs to the European countries.
"Several thousands Iranian police personnel have been martyred in the
anti-drug campaign with the armed traffickers," the envoy said.
Salehi expressed hope that European media especially El Pais daily
would do its best in enlightening the European and Spain public
opinion about the sacrifices Iranians have made in the anti-drug
campaign.
Earlier, Director-general of the Drug Control Headquarters said
international organizations and developed countries spend a paltry
dlrs 6 million annually in anti-drug campaign.
This is while Islamic Republic of Iran alone spends dlrs 600 million
annually to curb the dangerous social scourge, Brigadier General
Esmael Ahmadi-Moqaddam said.
He pointed out that the Afghan drug problem is all the more troubling
because the main producer of the narcotics (Afghanistan) is Iran's
close neighbor.
"More than 500 tons of heroin is produced in the world every year.
It is predicted that the annual production of opium will exceed 10,000
tons which is like an alarm bell for all countries," he added.
Ahmadi-Moqaddam added that after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan by
the US-led coalition forces, opium production has drastically
increased in the pauperized and war-ravaged country.
"The major source of income for terrorists in Afghanistan is through
drug trafficking."
Referring to more than 12,000 disabled personnel of the Islamic
Republic of Iran Police in the fight against drug trafficking, the
general recalled that 3,600 Iranian police and law enforcement
officers have been martyred in the anti-drug campaign over the past
several years.
End
Madrid-based daily El Pais editor-in-chief Javier Moreno on Iran's
progress in science and technology and perils of drug trafficking from
Afghanistan.
Given the upcoming 15 International Press and News Agencies Exhibition
slated for November 16-22, Salehi cited the event is a great
opportunity for introducing the El Pais daily to the Iranian people.
Referring to the Islamic Republic of Iran achievements in the fields
of mass media, the envoy said Iran has achieved a lot in science and
technology and the economic development.
Salehi also referred to Iran's mediation efforts for settling the
crisis in the regional countries.
"The presence of NATO troops not only create peace in the region, but
have increased the insecurity and production of opium in Afghanistan,"
he said.
He said some 8,700 tons of opium are produced in Afghanistan which is
major supplier of illicit drugs to the European countries.
"Several thousands Iranian police personnel have been martyred in the
anti-drug campaign with the armed traffickers," the envoy said.
Salehi expressed hope that European media especially El Pais daily
would do its best in enlightening the European and Spain public
opinion about the sacrifices Iranians have made in the anti-drug
campaign.
Earlier, Director-general of the Drug Control Headquarters said
international organizations and developed countries spend a paltry
dlrs 6 million annually in anti-drug campaign.
This is while Islamic Republic of Iran alone spends dlrs 600 million
annually to curb the dangerous social scourge, Brigadier General
Esmael Ahmadi-Moqaddam said.
He pointed out that the Afghan drug problem is all the more troubling
because the main producer of the narcotics (Afghanistan) is Iran's
close neighbor.
"More than 500 tons of heroin is produced in the world every year.
It is predicted that the annual production of opium will exceed 10,000
tons which is like an alarm bell for all countries," he added.
Ahmadi-Moqaddam added that after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan by
the US-led coalition forces, opium production has drastically
increased in the pauperized and war-ravaged country.
"The major source of income for terrorists in Afghanistan is through
drug trafficking."
Referring to more than 12,000 disabled personnel of the Islamic
Republic of Iran Police in the fight against drug trafficking, the
general recalled that 3,600 Iranian police and law enforcement
officers have been martyred in the anti-drug campaign over the past
several years.
End
