Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Afghan opium cultivation up 40% from last year

Iraq is a bloody mess, Israel and Lebanon are unstable, but at least we've got something to show for several years of efforts in Afghanistan: opium cultivation hits a record.

"It is a significant increase from last year ... unfortunately, it is a record year," said a senior U.S. government official based in Kabul, who like the other Western officials would speak only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive topic.

Has anyone else noticed how many quotes in the press now are accompanied by the line "would speak only on condition of anonymity?" I should start counting.

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