FARMERS IGNORING DRUGS WARNING, MP SAYS

Drug cultivation is back in the Bekaa, according to Baalbek-Hermel MP
Hussein Husseini. Husseini, who met President Emile Lahoud Monday for
talks on the country's socio-economic problems, said that "in my
view, dealing with agricultural issues is no less important than
dealing with the economic crisis and public debt." Husseini said that
like the government, he opposes planting cannibas in Baalbek-Hermel
region, but that illegal crops still exist.

"In fact, cannabis cultivation has again spread because the state
abandons its responsibility toward this region and its inhabitants,"
he said.

Army helicopters dropped leaflets over the region Friday warning
against drug cultivation, but Husseini said the real solution
involved implementing a development plan and supporting alternative
crops.