A U.S.-led initiative to authorize attacks on Afghanistan's drug trade was agreed to by NATO defense ministers in a meeting in Budapest, the New York Times reported Oct. 10.

The compromise agreement represented a major shift in alliance strategy despite misgivings from some European countries, including Spain and Germany. NATO troops will now be allowed to attack opium production facilities upon receiving authorization from national governments.

NATO official said the attacks, which could include bombing laboratories that convert opium to heroin, will be limited to drug producers who are supporting the Taliban and will end when Afghan forces are equipped to take on the responsibility.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and NATO's supreme commander, Gen. John Craddock, had been pressuring the 25 allies to agree to the change in strategy. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said that Gates was pleased with the agreement, noting that it will allow NATO forces "to take on the drug traffickers who are fueling the insurgency, destabilizing Afghanistan and killing our troops."

The success of the mission will be reviewed by the NATO defense ministers at their February 2009 meeting in Poland.