But as evidence has mounted that the trade provides major funding to the Taliban and other insurgents, Washington and some allies have become more willing to take on the problem. NATO allies agreed last October to let their forces attack Afghan drug lords and laboratories if they are linked to the insurgency, although nations can opt out of such operations. “We will do what we have to do to shut down drug money going to the Taliban,” Conway said. “If that involves the local warlords, so be it.” Conway said the Afghan government and its international allies understood the need to provide alternative livelihoods for farmers who were growing poppies But, he said, the current programs were not large enough. “Those efforts simply have to be, I think, dramatically expanded in order to be able to get at the size of the problem in Afghanistan,” he said. “We’re going to be creating Taliban if we simply take away the ability of a man to feed his family,” he said (Editing by Will Dunham). BRUSSEL, BELGIUM, Apr 29 (MARKET WIRE) — The General Meetings of Shareholders of Fortis SA/NV and Fortis N.V.

havevoted in favour of the transactions with the Belgian State and BNPParibas. This means BNP Paribas will acquire 75% of Fortis Bank SA/NV and25% of Fortis Insurance Belgium will be sold to Fortis Bank SA/NV.The percentage of the share capital represented in Ghent and Utrecht was: General Meeting of Shareholders Fortis SA/NV in Ghent: 26,15%General Meeting of Shareholders of Fortis N.V. in Utrecht: 26,36%Fortis CEO Karel De Boeck comments on the outcome: “We are pleased thatshareholders have voted in favour of the proposed transaction which isthe best possible solution for the company and one that will allow us tomove forward with confidence and certainty for the future. This has beena long process and we are grateful to all stakeholders for their patienceand their loyalty to the company during this protracted period ofuncertainty. Our priority now is to rebuild trust and confidence in thecompany as quickly as possible based on performance. Fortis holding (Fortis SA/NV and Fortis N.V.)consists of (1) Fortis Insurance Belgium (2) Fortis InsuranceInternational, and (3) financial assets and liabilities of variousfinancing vehicles. The international insurance activities (FortisInsurance International) are located in the UK, France, Hong Kong,Luxembourg (Non-Life), Germany, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and in jointventures in Luxembourg (Life), Portugal, China, Malaysia, India andThailand.

Fortis holding is not involved in banking activities.This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer issolely responsible for the content of this announcement CopyrightCopyright Hugin AS 2009. All rights reserved.Press Contacts:Brussels:+32 (0)2 228 82 92Utrecht: +31 (0)30 226 32 61Investor Relations:Brussels:+32 (0)2 565 53 78Utrecht: +31 (0)30 226 65 66Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.-0-.    Chris MarksAs the greatest goalscorer in the world reaches his 30th birthday, most of the attention will be on his achievements in Europe and with the Sele? – his record FIFA World Cup finals goals haul, his countless personal awards, his goals, his injuries – even his personal life. But that would be to forget where it all started for the poor boy from Rio who was to become the most famous sportsman in the world. Ronaldo was born in Bento Ribeiro, a poor slum in Rio de Janeiro, the youngest of four children, on 22 September 1976. Like many modern Brazilian stars, he honed his skills by playing Futebol de Sal?with two clubs on Rio's outskirts: Social Ramos and Valqueire.