Insurgency and Weakness in Kabul Hamper Drug Efforts

New York – March 13, 2007 – According to a recent report from the United States State Department, Afghanistan's growing insurgency, and the weakness of the central government are hampering efforts to cut opium cultivation and heroin production.

This has been no secret to anyone, from the United Nations, to 2008 Independent Presidential Candidate, Daniel Imperato, who has been calling for the elimination of poppy cultivation for the past several years.

"You can see in my previous press releases, the root of the problem in Afghanistan goes to the poppy. We did not destroy the poppy fields when we had a chance to and now the Taliban is stronger than ever and Afghanistan is cultivating opium faster than ever," stated Imperato.

In a 2006 press release, Imperato came out with the following statement, "Mark my words once again, that the greatest threat is for al-Qaeda to regain its financial strength which is directly related to Uncle Poppy. I have addressed this situation in the past, and I stand up for the United States and its people, to demand immediate action pertaining to the war chest of Osama Bin Laden's poppy fields."

Recently Bin Laden celebrated his 50th birthday.

Imperato felt that the US should try and build the economy of Afghanistan, in addition to eradicating the poppy fields.

"The people of Afghanistan have few options to make a successful living for their families. There needs to be job programs in place, and the rest of the world needs to chip in with foreign investment to help start new businesses, increase manufacturing, stimulate technology transfer, and grow commerce."

More than 12 percent of Afghans are involved in opium cultivation. Its export value was estimated at $3.1bn, equal to almost half of the non-drug economy.

Imperato concluded his statements with the following, "We must show the poor people of Afghanistan that the United States, and the rest of the world, is here to help, not take away your living. So in addition to eradicating the poppy fields we must provide jobs for hard working Afghan families. In addition, we must place a new focus on cutting the money supply of the Taliban and al-Qaeda, the poppy. Poppy production is higher than ever, and the Taliban and al-Qaeda have used the money to grow faster than ever. America needs someone that will take a hard stance against drugs and terrorism. America needs to cut terrorism's legs, which in this case is the drug money.'