car's keyless remote. back in january, afghan president hamid karzai told reporters a mineral survey had been conducted. the "times" reports that geologists had had hidden important mineral surveys from the taliban for years, and the soviets may have conducted their own surveys as well. but it's still unclear what this trillion dollar treasure trove will do for afghanistan. it could attract investment and create jobs, transforming the economy into a mining powerhouse in the best case scenario. the value of these untapped riches vastly surpasses the size of afghan's economy today, an economy largely driven by opium production and drug trafficking. but the fine could embolden the taliban in its quest for authority. afghanistan has little experience in heavy industry, and political stability, which could feed corruption, and it may set the u.s. up against resource-hungry china for influence in the region and for access to rare earth minerals critical to defense technology for both countries. the find is certainly