Mr. Shaman
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2007
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Apparently, even NATO recognizes who's (actually) supporting who. 

"Gates said earlier Thursday that the Taliban makes $60 million to $80 million annually from drug trafficking. Gates, however, ruled out any large crop-eradication campaign, which would probably alienate the country's farmers, many of whom survive on income from growing opium poppies.
European skeptics of the U.S. proposal have argued that the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan lacks the legal mandate to conduct counternarcotics operations in any form. Some NATO troops, following their governments' interpretation of their role, have ignored even overt drug running in their areas of operation.
The NATO meeting comes at a time of growing alarm in Washington about a war against an enemy that combines the Taliban, parts of al-Qaeda and networks of local militants. U.S. officials argue that drug money is corrupting central and local authorities. "We know that corruption is a problem in the Afghan government, and to a considerable extent that corruption is fueled by narcotics," Gates said."
2002 - "The source, who requested that he not be identified, noted that the opium poppy fields are blooming and ready for harvest. U.S. forces could destroy the crops using aerial spraying techniques, but no such actions are planned."