1.   And diversification into opium poppies has made Colombia a serious rival to Asia in heroin production.

2.   A. The Taliban banned cultivation of opium poppies, which dramatically reduced Afghan-based heroin production.

3.   Burmese military officials have told Washington that they can do little to suppress heroin production because so much is taking place in areas controlled by rebellious ethnic minorities.

4.   Moreover, the United States is now the recipient of much of the Afghan heroin drug production.

5.   The American-sponsored approach so far has centered on aerial spraying, but cocaine and heroin production in Colombia are soaring.

6.   Participants at the meeting were to discuss heroin production and trafficking, trafficking routes, criminal groups, payment systems and illicit supplies.

7.   Police Gen. Chavalit Yodmani also urged the United States to help rather than shun neighboring Burma in the fight against heroin production.

8.   But the halt is frustrating Colombian police and angering some U.S. lawmakers concerned about growing heroin production here.

9.   In recent years, heroin production has dropped sharply, although amphetamine-type drugs are now more widespread.

10.   Increased heroin production in neighboring Colombia and stepped-up enforcement efforts are the main reasons for the increase, he said.