Afghan President Ahmid Karzai concluded a fruitful visit to the White House.

Washington has finally accepted the idea that the Taliban - whom it is officially fighting - form part of the Kabul Government. This decision should be endorsed at the Loya Jirga (great council) to be held on 29 May.

Even more surprising is that negotiations with yesterday’s enemies will be conducted by Hamed Wali Karzai, the President’s half-brother.

Hamed Wali Karzai had played a leading role in overseeing the Mujahideen during the CIA war against the Soviets. In that capacity, he has gained the esteem of the current Mujahideen, the Taliban.
To finance the covert war against the Soviets, as well as to demorilize Red Army soldiers, the CIA had promoted poppy cultivation.
According to various converging sources, especially at the United Nations, Hamed Wali Karzai is the chief drug lord in Afghanistan today.
Under NATO occupation, Afghanistan has become the top producer of opium poppies.

==

See: Poppy cultivation: Russia lambastes NATO, Voltaire Network, 5 March 2010.