[JURIST] Drug trafficking in Afghanistan threatens to undermine the rule of law and democracy in the country, according to a report released Wednesday by the International Narcotics Control Board [official website], the independent body charged with monitoring implementation of UN drug conventions. The INCB 2004 Annual Report [text] also expresses concern about drug trafficking in Iraq, saying "The complex interlinkage of terrorism, organized crime, corruption and drug trafficking poses an unprecedented threat, raising concerns that the overall situation may worsen." AP has more. Responding to the INCB report Wednesday, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that his country will step up the fight against drugs. Karzai said Afghan authorities are "working to close drug markets, seize narcotics which are being smuggled all over Afghanistan and to arrest those involved in drug smuggling and are reforming the judicial systems in order to be able to bring drug smugglers to justice." AFP has more.