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Annan hails Turkmenistan's contribution to peace in Afghanistan

Annan hails Turkmenistan's contribution to peace in Afghanistan

Arriving in Turkmenistan today for the last leg of his Central Asia trip, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today thanked the country for its contribution towards rebuilding neighbouring Afghanistan.

Speaking to the press following an hour-long one-on-one meeting with President Saparmurat Niyazov, the Secretary-General said they had discussed how best to consolidate peace in Afghanistan, adding that he also voiced appreciation for Turkmenistan's role in that effort and for its plan to build a gas pipeline through Afghanistan.

He also pointed out that security is linked not only to Islamic extremism but also to economic and social development.

Mr. Annan said he and the President also discussed environmental issues, and that he congratulated Turkmenistan for its support of the treaty establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia.

This morning, Mr. Annan concluded his visit to Tajikistan by touring the country's drug control agency, which was set up in 2000 with the assistance of the UN Drug Control Programme. It has since seized some 750 kilograms of heroin, mostly of Afghan origin.

"Given the nature of the problem - it's a huge problem - this is a small effort, and yet, if every country and every region attempted to tackle it the way we are trying to do it here, we will, together, be able to contain this scourge," the Secretary-General told reporters before leaving Tajikistan.