Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2004, International Narcotics Control Board [INCB], March 2, 2004 [saying that drug trafficking in Afghanistan is threatening to undermine the rule of law and democracy in the country, and could also threaten Iraq]. Excerpt:

Despite efforts made by the Government of Afghanistan, with the assistance of the international community, the drug control situation in Afghanistan continued to deteriorate in 2004. Widespread cultivation of opium poppy and the processing of and trafficking in opiates have transformed Afghanistan into a country in which the economy, the culture and the political life are dominated by the illicit drug trade, which is threatening reconstruction efforts and undermining legitimate economic activities and the establishment of the rule of law. The Board calls upon the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to continue to accord drug control the highest priority and to strengthen efforts to address the drug problem in a comprehensive manner, within the framework of overall development plans and programmes to establish law and order throughout the country and make alternative development in areas under drug crop cultivation more effective….

The Board is concerned that the drug situation in Iraq may deteriorate further because of the disintegration of the drug control structure in the country, given its geographical location and the current political and economic instability in the country. The complex interlinkage of terrorism, organized crime, corruption and drug trafficking poses an unprecedented threat, raising concerns that the overall situation may worsen.

Read the full text of the report here [PDF]. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.