Upsurge in Afghan violence seen

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The commander of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday he expects an upsurge in Taliban insurgency this year, financed by a bumper poppy crop.

Speaking at a news conference in Kabul, Gen. Dan McNeill predicted a rise in suicide attacks and roadside bombs, TimesOnline reported.

"When I see a poppy field, I see it turning into money and then into IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and Kalashnikovs," he said.

Despite indications from Britain that tougher measures are planned to control the opium trade, the report quoted McNeill as saying: "I expect to see another year of explosive growth in poppy and I think that will again complicate the security sector. Does it concern me? Yes, greatly."

Taliban roadside and suicide bombing attacks numbered more than 140 in 2007 and McNeill said he expects more this year.

Last year was the worst in terms of Taliban violence since its regime in Kabul fell in 2001. Among the more than 6,000 people who died last year, about 220 were NATO forces.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency quoted McNeill as stressing the need for boosting Afghan national security forces and warning that without such increase "the militants would continue their attacks this year."