ID :
181498
Wed, 05/11/2011 - 14:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/181498
The shortlink copeid
Iran Blames Foreign Forces for Deteriorating Security Conditions in Afghanistan
TEHRAN,May 11(FNA)- Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Abdollahi took foreign forces responsible for the soaring hike in insecurities in Afghanistan, and called for their immediate withdrawal from the war-torn country.
"West's presence in Afghanistan has not benefited the people of the country and its neighbors and has disrupted the country's security, economy and progress," Abdollahi said in a meeting with Norway's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Janis Bjorn Kanavin here in Tehran on Wednesday.
He also described deployment of foreign forces in Afghanistan as a source of problems for the neighboring countries, and said, "The consequences of Afghanistan's occupation have always caused problems for the Islamic Republic of Iran's Eastern borders."
During the meeting, Kanavin appreciated Iran for the efforts it has made to help establish security in Afghanistan, and reiterated, "Insecurity in Afghanistan has put a heavy burden on Iran's shoulders and the world community should help Iran in fighting drug transit."
Eastern Iran borders Afghanistan, which is the world's number one opium and drug producer. Iran's geographical position has made the country a favorite transit corridor for drug traffickers who intend to smuggle their cargoes from Afghanistan to drug dealers in Europe.
Iran spends billions of dollars and has lost thousands of its police troops in the war against traffickers. Owing to its rigid efforts, Iran makes 85 percent of the world's total opium seizures and has turned into the leading country in drug campaign.
Over the past five years, it has contributed more than $50 million annually to Afghan anti-narcotics efforts, but Iranian police officials maintain that drug production in Afghanistan has undergone a 40-fold increase since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001.
Late in May 2010, UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura acknowledged increased drug production in Afghanistan, and praised Iran's activities and efforts in fighting drug plantation, production and trafficking.
While Afghanistan produced only 185 tons of opium per year under the Taliban, according to the UN statistics, since the US-led invasion, drug production has surged to 3,400 tons annually. In 2007, the opium trade reached an estimated all-time production high of 8,200 tons.
Afghan and Western officials blame Washington and NATO for the change, saying that allies have "overlooked" the drug problem since invading the country nearly 10 years ago.
"West's presence in Afghanistan has not benefited the people of the country and its neighbors and has disrupted the country's security, economy and progress," Abdollahi said in a meeting with Norway's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Janis Bjorn Kanavin here in Tehran on Wednesday.
He also described deployment of foreign forces in Afghanistan as a source of problems for the neighboring countries, and said, "The consequences of Afghanistan's occupation have always caused problems for the Islamic Republic of Iran's Eastern borders."
During the meeting, Kanavin appreciated Iran for the efforts it has made to help establish security in Afghanistan, and reiterated, "Insecurity in Afghanistan has put a heavy burden on Iran's shoulders and the world community should help Iran in fighting drug transit."
Eastern Iran borders Afghanistan, which is the world's number one opium and drug producer. Iran's geographical position has made the country a favorite transit corridor for drug traffickers who intend to smuggle their cargoes from Afghanistan to drug dealers in Europe.
Iran spends billions of dollars and has lost thousands of its police troops in the war against traffickers. Owing to its rigid efforts, Iran makes 85 percent of the world's total opium seizures and has turned into the leading country in drug campaign.
Over the past five years, it has contributed more than $50 million annually to Afghan anti-narcotics efforts, but Iranian police officials maintain that drug production in Afghanistan has undergone a 40-fold increase since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001.
Late in May 2010, UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura acknowledged increased drug production in Afghanistan, and praised Iran's activities and efforts in fighting drug plantation, production and trafficking.
While Afghanistan produced only 185 tons of opium per year under the Taliban, according to the UN statistics, since the US-led invasion, drug production has surged to 3,400 tons annually. In 2007, the opium trade reached an estimated all-time production high of 8,200 tons.
Afghan and Western officials blame Washington and NATO for the change, saying that allies have "overlooked" the drug problem since invading the country nearly 10 years ago.
