'In the Frontline, Iran Cannot Act Alone'.

• Author: Fallah, Mohammad
• Position: Drug trafficking control - Brief Article

Geographically, the location of Iran in south-west Asia is unique from a number of vantage points. Iran has 975 kilometres of common border with Afghanistan-the world's largest opium producer-and is considered as the shortest land route for drug transit to Europe.

The long-lasting civil war, poverty, lack of a central government and the availability of arms in Afghanistan, as well as the lucrative markets for illegal drug consumption in Europe, are the main factors behind drug production and trafficking in south-west Asia. Despite $789 million spent on erecting blockades and fortifications along the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the stationing there of over 30,000 law enforcement forces, efforts still seem insufficient. In addition, Iran has had 2,700 martyrs and a great number of wounded and disabled as a result. During recent years, many international and high-level officials have observed Iran's activities on its eastern borders and admired the achievements.

It has become clear that, in this campaign, the efforts of Iran acting alone are not enough to be successful. Since Mr. Pino Arlacchi became Executive Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), the trend of cooperation between Iran and UNDCP has accelerated. Although still in its early stages, this cooperation has already made goodwill and better mutual understanding between the two parties. Appreciation of Iran's activities by the United Nations, and its contribution to reflect the realities in this connection, was a turning point in the cooperation between the Organization and Iran.

The special situation of south-west Asia necessitates that the United Nations, as the world's man coordinator in the field of anti-drug campaigns, focus its attention on Afghanistan as the main source of illegal drugs in the world and that Iran, which is in the frontline of the anti-drug war, prepares to have the highest level of cooperation with the United Nations.

The areas of cooperation could be as follows:

* Combatting drug supply by strengthening the capacities of anti-drug law enforcement agencies along Iran's common borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan...