MONEY BEHIND TERROR

To the Editor:

Re "Afghan Ban on Growing of Opium Is Unraveling" (news article, Oct. 22):
The Taliban's control of the opium trade is merely one example of global
crime organizations financing terrorist activities.

The international narcotics trade has been the foundation for
diversification by crime and terror groups into other lucrative ventures.

It would be helpful to see a global flow chart of these trades, and the
financial institutions that manage the money and profits. Making these
revenue streams transparent would be a most effective way to end global
crime and terrorism. It would also allow for the seizure of a vast asset
base to be used in future anticrime and antiterrorist activities.

RONALD B. BRINN, Great Neck, N.Y., Oct. 22, 2001