The United States called on NATO allies on Thursday to allow the alliance to attack the Afghan opium trade, which it said was bringing the Taliban up to $80 million a year. NATO's operations commander, Gen. John Craddock, has asked the 26 NATO countries for authority to attack laboratories, trafficking networks and drug lords to stem a trade helping to finance a worsening Taliban insurgency.
Germany and several other NATO states are wary of extending the role of the NATO mission, whose long-term aim is to create conditions for Afghans to take over responsibility for their own security. Some are concerned it could worsen the violence and might cause civilian casualties that could turn Afghans against foreign forces. Proponents of the plan argue it is essential if NATO is to reduce violence in the longer term, and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the drugs trade was bringing the Taliban $60-$80 million a year...(Reuters via Today's Zaman).
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