"US Presence Increased Poppy Cultivation 40 Times In Afghanistan'

Tehran, Nov 28, IRNA – Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said that regrettably the presence of the US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan has increased the poppy cultivation and production of narcotics, as well as insecurity there. Mohammad Najjar made the remarks in an interview in the Afghan capital city of Kabul on Sunday. “Cultivation and production of narcotics have been increased 40 times since 10 years ago when the US-led troops arrived in Afghanistan for the first time. Mohammad Najjar is attending a tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan in Kabul on campaign against drug-trafficking. The three day meeting is being held under aegis of the United Nations. The meeting will decide on a suitable mechanism to fight the growing menace of drug trafficking. “I hope that our tripartite meeting will bear fruitful results in a serious campaign against drug trafficking in the region and the world,” Mohamamd Najjar said./end