International security forces in Afghanistan must decisively end their hands-off policy in destroying illicit drug crops, if counterterrorism efforts are to succeed, according to a letter from the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations made public here on Friday.

The UN-mandated contingent, known as the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), "should take a more active and decisive role in destroying illicit drugs crops and disrupting drug production and distribution activity," said Vitaly Churkin ina May 21 letter to the UN secretary-general.

Since the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) took command of ISAF in 2003, the alliance has gradually expanded the reach of its mission; however, the 50,000 troops are not directly involved in the poppy eradication or destruction of processing facilities, or in taking military action against narcotic producers.

But in his letter, Churkin, whose country does not belong to NATO, made it apparent that the ISAF's standoff policy should change, saying that the international community has failed to curtail the growing production of narcotic drugs in Afghanistan, which continues to finance terrorist activities.

Afghanistan's opium production increased 42 times from 2001 to 2008, reaching 7,700 tons, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

This means "the country has a global monopoly on opiate production," said Churkin, adding that most of the production takes place in the south of Afghanistan.

However, it would be erroneous to conclude that the "'opium-free' northern provinces of Afghanistan are an example for the other provinces," said Churkin, as "the same provinces now have record harvests of another drug crop, cannabis, which is used to obtain marijuana."

Furthermore, Churkin said, the northern provinces, which are close to the borders of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, are home to the "best equipped laboratories for making heroin from the heroin harvested in the south."

Churkin suggested that interested states, especially those most seriously affected by Afghan drug trafficking, including Russia, must step up their efforts to counteract the spread of drugs.

Tensions between NATO and Russia were at an all time high after Moscow's five-day war with Georgia. However, diplomatic ties have been resumed, paving the way for the possibility of NATO-Russia cooperation in Afghanistan.

Churkin also said United Nations members should conduct a serious analysis of the situation in Afghanistan and improve mechanisms for preventing the further spread of drugs, adding that it would be "advisable" for all interested states to take part in activities envisioned under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The SCO, composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, has increasingly intensified its focus on Afghanistan, including counterterrorism and drug trafficking.

In his letter, Churkin also suggested that the international community create parameters for assistance on a basis of a single road map which takes quantitative and time-based indicators of its effectiveness into consideration.

Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of heroin. The international community has been split on how to best tackle the issue with some arguing that military operations should stick to fighting terrorists while others thinking armed groups should target opium production.

Source: Xinhua