On January 28, the Washington Post reported "an unusual and abrupt resignation" by the US assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement, Robert Charles. At a time when attention was focused on the appointment of cabinet secretaries, the Charles resignation hardly caused a ripple. Charles cited "personal reasons" for his departure. But the fact that he was a point man for a policy of aerial spraying to eradicate poppies in Afghanistan - a policy opposed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the Pentagon, and now put on hold in Washington - probably has more to do with it.
With US$780 million earmarked overall, including $300 million for eradication and $152 million for aerial spraying due to start in March, the US dollar investment in Afghanistan's drug fight is substantial. Needless to say, the political investment is no less. And, until recently, all lights were green. At this writing, however, the State Department is reportedly reworking the budget proposal, possibly removing funds for spraying.
Washington's at least temporary reversal of its earlier policy to hasten the drug eradication process in Afghanistan points to the fact that the issue of aerial spraying itself is now in hot dispute. It also reflects a deeper churning in US policy toward Afghanistan, ever in the shadow of Iraq but arguably as critical.
Kabul takes a standThe Kabul regime, which has all along been a rubber stamp for Washington's wishes and will, has come out strongly opposing the eradication of poppies by aerial spraying. "We don't know the side effects of spraying," said General Mohammed Daud, head of the Anti-Narcotics Department at the Ministry of Interior. "Also, Afghans are not used to seeing this kind of thing
; it could be seen as an attack on the people, not just the poppy crops. That is a dangerous road to take."
Asia Times
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