355. Telegram 884 From the Embassy in Afghanistan to the Department of State1 2
Kabul, February 12, 1972, 1114Z
Ref:
- Embassy 772 and 695
- 1.
- As indicated in post’s narcotics control action plan (Kabul A-130, December 13, 1971) page 9, mission decided in concert importance of taking action on narcotics problem in Afghanistan could be brought home to key RGA officials through the eyes of foreign press. All indications point to fact this mission campaign is constructive and producing results.
- 2.
- Afghanies, unlike other people are unusually sensitive about what foreign press writes about their country.
- 3.
- Influx of hippies and narcotic trafickers brought with it increased foreign press interest in newly evolving situation in Afghanistan created by both. Afghan hashish enjoys an especially high reputation among world travellers.
- 4.
- Articles both in the US and UK with times such as quote Embassies kept busy rescuing the drug-frazzled freaks: hippies find Afghanistan a hellish drug heaven: hippies begging like dogs in Afghanistan; hippies sell bodies to Afghans for fix; Britain depicts Afghanistan as center of narcotics; Afghanistan [Page 2] cracks down on drug users; hippies head for Kabul in all sorts of conveyances; a hippie burial; and Afghanistan: deadly economic opportunity unquote were reproduced in multiple copies by USIS and sent to the Prime Minister’s office, Deputy Foreign Minister, MFA’s Directors of Information and Economics, leading editor of independent and government newspapers and to President of Publications, MOIC. The Prime Ministers press advisor personally thanked PAO and request that PM’s office continue to receive all such articles.
- 5.
- Certain articles were reprinted in independent newspapers; some have undoubted been cause of editorials on narcotics and hippies; and some have undoubtedly been food for thought to leading officials who are attempting to grapple with overall problems of narcotics and hippies.
- 6.
- Afghanistan: Deadly economic opportunity written by Naomi Barry (International Herald Tribune) with cooperation of Embassy and USIS officers apparently hit home because it was result of a painful rebuttal from a high commerce ministry official, who is very well known by mission officers. Mrs. Barry ended her article by quoting a worried foreign diplomat quote the Afghans are sensitive people. When the government realizes the kind of reputation it is getting for itself abroad, it may become more severe at home unquote.
- 7.
- The Ambassador also took occasion to emphasize above quote by showing his majesty one of articles when subject of narcotics was discussed.
- 8.
- In addition, USIS has carried well over eighty percent of all articles that have been received by post through wireless file in United States bulletin which is distributed to approximately twelve hundred opinion leaders in Afghanistan, including all RGA officers concerned with narcotics. Copies of all wireless file stories on narcotics are sent immediately upon receipt to MFA Director concerned with subject.
Brescia