Among the problems the EU cited was the opium trade (file photo) (AFP)
10 December 2005 -- The European Union today warned that Afghanistan's efforts to establish democracy are threatened by widespread corruption, the cultivation of opium, and insecurity.
A report issued by the EU's Afghan mission said the 2004 adoption of a constitution and recent polls, including for the first parliament in 30 years, were important steps toward democracy.
But the report said those steps are not "the end of the story."
It cited several risk factors, including widespread corruption, pervasive illegal opium production, and "a lack of security and stability in parts of the country including continued presence of illegal armed groups."
(AFP)
Who Is Ayman al-Zawahri?
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AYMAN AL-ZAWAHRI is regarded as Al-Qaeda's No. 2 authority. Although al-Zawahri is lesser known than Osama bin Laden, some observers say the deputy is just as powerful as the chief....(more)
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