Headlines

May, 2001 - TALIBAN'S BAN ON GROWING OPIUM POPPIES IS CALLED A SUCCESS
UNITED NATIONS, May 18 — The first American narcotics experts to go to Afghanistan under Taliban rule have concluded that the movement's ban on opium-poppy cultivation appears to have wiped out the world's largest crop in less than a year, officials said today.

(Can't have that, too much money to be made)

September, 2001 - TALIBAN TO LIFT BAN ON FARMERS GROWING OPIUM IF US ATTACKS
Edict Reverses Policy That Wiped Out Crop
In a dramatic and little-noticed reversal of policy, the Taliban have told farmers in Afghanistan that they are free to start planting poppy seeds again if the Americans decide to launch a military attack.

January, 2002 - DRUG CONTROL AGENCY IN KABUL IS EVICTED

Despite promises to crack down on the drugs trade, the new Afghan government has evicted the main drug control agency from its headquarters in Kabul and taken its vehicles

May, 2003 - BUSH"S OPIUM BOOM
Last year saw what is probably the single biggest one-year increase in opium production in world history. Since the Bush administration toppled the Taliban regime, opium production in Afghanistan has increased from 185 tons in 2001 to 3,700 tons in 2002 — an increase of twentyfold.

(That's more like it)

May, 2005 - KARZAI ACCUSED OF BEING SOFT ON THE OPIUM TRADE
Mr Karzai... strongly denied the allegations yesterday, claiming that it was America and Britain who were responsible for the failure of the programme.
He pointed out that in the areas where the plan had failed the US and Britain were in control.

(Get with the program, dude!)

July, 2006 - RICE VISITS AFGHANISTAN TO BOLSTER KARZAI
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice promised victory over a resurgent Taliban...

Who are trying to muscle in on the fascists' turf.