UPI - Report: U.K. cheated Afghan poppy growers
The British government has failed to honor its pledge to compensate Afghani farmers for eradicating poppy crops, causing widespread anger in the volatile south of the country and leading to increased support for Taliban insurgents, a new report by the Senlis Council think tank claims.
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“These farmers kept their side of the deal and eradicated their crops, but the British Government did not keep their word,” said Mohammad Gull, a local representative from the Sharwali District in Helmand who was involved in the initial negotiations with the British representatives. “In our culture this is very dishonorable and we are very angry.”
Gull told the Senlis Council he had over 400 checks in his possession which farmers had been unable to cash because of insufficient funds in the account. In total, the farmers allege they are owed $21 million and are planning to sue the British government for the money that was promised them.
Posted on March 29th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
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Sounds like the chequebook has run out.
Click for Poppy Production Graph
Justin, sorry for the ‘bump’ in topic but ID Cards have passed Parliament. There was some compromise to get the bill passed, namely implementation is held off until 2010. This is in the hope that the Tories will get voted into office before then and kick the bill out. I’m not sure if that’s a good compromise.
Brendan, it’s a bloody awful compromise unworthy of the name. I’m trying to thrash out a post right now.