Its economy is based on mostly dairy, livestock, and poppy production for the pharmaceutical industry.

Indeed, although the country rose in the world's ranking, poppy production here has fallen substantially over the last five years, he said.

He was looked upon favorably by Washington because of his successful programs in cutting back poppy production.

The Taliban, using often brutal tactics, had greatly suppressed poppy production.

Central Asia, he said, has the most potential for poppy production.

They gave him a general commitment a month ago to eliminate poppy production.

Today, Turkey is free of illicit poppy production.

Twenty-five years ago, poppy production here was 200 tons; last year, it was 2,800 tons.

Another important selection criterion is dependence on poppy production.

The State Department praised Turkey, saying that "illicit poppy production remains completely under control" there.