[DEBATE] : Afghan expulsions trigger row - EU and UN officials expelled...

[Riaz K Tayob]

UPDATED ON: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2007
11:33 MECCA TIME, 8:33 GMT

NEWS CENTRAL/S. ASIA Afghan expulsions trigger row

Poppy grown in Afghanistan accounts for 90 per cent of the world's 
heroin [File: AP]

A diplomatic row has erupted after Afghanistan expelled a Briton and 
Irishman working for the EU and UN for allegedly threatening state 
security.

Kabul on Tuesday accused the senior diplomats of having contact with the 
outlawed Taliban. Several Afghan colleagues of the two diplomats were 
also arrested.

The UN on Wednesday said it was holding talks with the Afghan 
authorities over what it described as a "misunderstanding".

But an Afghan official said on the condition of anonymity: "It is the 
government's last decision. They are persona non grata."

The Afghan government said that Michael Semple, the acting European 
Union mission head, and Marvin Patterson, a senior UN official, held an 
illegal meeting with Taliban members.

The pair have been told to leave by Thursday.

'Aiding Taliban'

The government accused them of holding talks with Taliban members in 
Helmand province.

The Afghan official said: "Not only did they hold talks with the 
Taliban, but also had given them money.

"It is not clear whether they were supporting the insurgency or not."

He said it was unknown if the meeting was an official or personal 
initiative but 50 Afghans - including colleagues of the pair - have been 
arrested due to their links to the incident.

Aleem Siddique, a UN spokesman, said the men visited the town of Musa 
Qala in Helmand province, recently recaptured by US-led forces after 10 
months under Taliban control.

"We do not talk to the Taliban - full stop. That is not what we were in 
Helmand province to do."

Controversial talks

Siddique said the men assessed the "stabilisation" efforts after the 
military offensive, and spoke to a number of locals including "people 
who are perhaps undecided whether they are supportive of the government 
of Afghanistan".

"We have subsequently been informed that our presence in Helmand was 
detrimental to national security interests. We disagree with this 
assessment," he said.

"We view this as a misunderstanding between us and the government of 
Afghanistan."

Both men have extensive experience of working in Afghanistan and are 
experts in local languages and customs.

Siddique said that Patterson would leave in the next 48 hours but that 
the organisation was hopeful of his swift return.

The EU could not be reached for comment.

Both the EU and UN are central in the British-led efforts to eradicate 
poppy production in Afghanistan, which provides for over 90 per cent of 
the world's heroin.

The industry is said by analysts to be the primary reason for the 
Taliban's resurgence in the south and east. Source: Agencies