POLISH ATTITUDES TOWARD INVOLVEMENT IN AFGHAN DRUG

UNCLAS WARSAW 002491 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINR EAID EUN SNAR PL SUBJECT: POLISH ATTITUDES TOWARD INVOLVEMENT IN AFGHAN DRUG ISSUE (C-CN6-01612) REF: A. A: STATE 192093 ¶B. B: WARSAW 2462 Embassy Warsaw has the following responses to Reftel A query: ¶A. (SBU) EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS' REACTIONS TO RECENT AFGHAN DRUG ISSUES. --Post does not believe that these issues will impact GOP's perceptions about troops' roles in Afghanistan. The GOP has committed 1,200 troops to the NATO force for 2007 and this commitment is unchanged. --Polish troops have thus far not been involved in counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan and Post does not believe that recent issues will change this one way or the other. ¶B. (U) AFGHANISTAN'S INCREASED OPIUM CULTIVATION IMPACT ON POLAND. -- Increased Afghan production has/has translated into increased heroin transit and usage in Poland. During all of 2005 Polish authorities seized 41.1 kg of heroin compared to 77.3kg during just the first six months of 2006; in addition police seized 75kg in one bust last month. Police and the local DEA office note increases in usage and transit of opium originating from Afghanistan in all forms. -- The Central Bureau of Investigations notes that heroin seized in Poland this year has been of extremely high quality. The 75kg seizure noted above was pure heroin destined for Spain. -- Heroin is a drug of top concern regarding transit. Police estimate that 70 percent of heroin in Poland is ultimately destined for another market. ASHE