Tajikistan: US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld yesterday blamed the Taliban for drug trafficking and called on European countries to do more in Afghanistan to quell a trade that hurts their societies.
On a visit to Tajikistan, which borders Afghanistan, Mr Rumsfeld dismissed arguments that the US military's focus on Iraq had allowed drug trafficking to rise, a trade that American defence and drug officials say funds the Taliban's activities.
"The demand out of Europe, western Europe and Russia for these drugs is substantial and I do worry that the profits that come from the sale of those products could conceivably end up adversely affecting the democratic process in the country," Mr Rumsfeld told reporters. "Anytime there is that much money floating around and you have people like the Taliban, it gives them an opportunity to fund their efforts in various ways."
Tajikistan is strategically critical to the US and its operations in neighbouring Afghanistan.
The Pentagon has what defence officials call a gas-and-go arrangement with Tajikistan, allowing official US aircraft to refuel in Tajikistan. The country has also given the United States over-flight rights.
Mr Rumsfeld's trip to Tajikistan, his first in a year, comes as the Taliban's insurgency has become more sophisticated, due in part to funding from the narcotics trade, US officials say.