WASHINGTON — Russia's top anti-drugs official has a completed a U.S. visit where he complained that the United States was not acting on information that he has provided about many narcotics laboratories in Afghanistan.
Viktor Ivanov, head of the Federal Drug Control Service, said he provided U.S. officials in Kabul months ago the coordinates of 175 laboratories where heroin is processed.
He said U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency officials in Kabul have told him that they are awaiting U.S. military approval to take down the labs.
"For some reason they are unable to carry out any operations to destroy these laboratories because there is a delay from the military side," Ivanov said in an interview Thursday.
Ivanov was in Washington for a meeting of a commission on drugs set up by the U.S. and Russian presidents to improve cooperation.
The DEA would not comment, saying it does not confirm or deny information shared by other nations.
Ivanov has long complained that U.S. and NATO refusal to implement poppy eradication programs in Afghanistan is contributing to a flood of Afghan heroin into Russia. U.S. officials have argued that destruction of poppy fields would drive Afghan farmers into the arms of the Taliban.
Ivanov said Thursday that he also has suggested going after the major landlords in Afghanistan's poppy-growing region by submitting their names to the United Nations for sanctions.
"It wouldn't be difficult to trace them," he said.
Ivanov said he discussed the issue with U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke and other officials Thursday, then left frustrated that they provided no evidence that poppy eradication would strengthen the Taliban.
"It sounded not like constructive discussion but a manifestation of stubbornness," he said. "I cannot say they are not listening. They are listening very carefully and attentively. But unfortunately, there are no results."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
