Russia presses NATO to step up crackdown on Afghan drug barons
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Jan 22, IRNA -- Russia's Ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin called on the western military alliance to intensify its crackdown on Afghan drug barons, the website of the Hamburg-based news magazine Der Spiegel reported Friday.
Russia does not agree with NATO that the Afghan drug problem was of minor importance in terms of its dangers, according to Rogozin.
The Russian diplomat warned his country would reconsider its cooperation with NATO, if the International Security Assistance Force fails to intensify its war on drugs in Afghanistan.
The drug problem is of the highest priority, Rogozin stressed.
He said the West should not only think of their own interests when combating narco-trafficking in Afghanistan but should also take into account the interests of partner states like Russia.
"Afghan heroin is killing 30,000 citizens of my country every year," the Russian official pointed out.
Afghanistan has been producing over 90 percent of the world's heroin and opiates since 2002, according to UN figures.
OT**1420
End News / IRNA / News Code 912577
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