Afghanistan: NATO Commander Calls For More To Fight Drug Trade

From Adnkronos:

Kabul, 24 Sept. (AKI) - By Giovanni Del Re - Afghanistan's drugs trade has become a key obstacle in international efforts to stabilise the country, according to NATO's top European commander, General John Craddock.

"I requested additional authorisation to permit ISAF to directly go after drug bosses and drug traffic facilities," Craddock told Adnkronos International (AKI).

Craddock was on a visit to the Afghan capital, Kabul, for meetings with commanders from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

"Afghanistan is gaining in capability and size but is it adequate to the task?" Craddock asked.

"The authorisations for ISAF in the operation plan are to provide assistance to Afghan anti-narcotics forces, but these authorisations are not enough," Craddock added.

"The UN estimates a total of 60 to 100 million dollars go to the insurgency," he said. "They buy the explosives (and) the bomb makers pay the soldiers who pull the triggers who kill our soldiers. We cannot let this go on, we must do this to reduce risks for ISAF soldiers."

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My Comment: There are not enough NATO soldiers to destroy the opium fields and fight the Taliban at the same time.