AFGHAN OPIUM CROP UP 40%

AP , KABUL
Friday, Aug 18, 2006,Page 4

Opium cultivation in Afghanistan has hit record levels -- up by more than 40 percent from last year -- despite hundreds of millions in counternarcotics money, Western officials said.

The increase could have serious repercussions for an already grave security situation, with drug lords joining the Taliban-led fight against Afghan and international forces.

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