A/36/PV.59 General Assembly

First of all, I wish to emphasize once again the Bulgarian delegation's resolute disapproval of the imposi- tion of a debate on agenda item 26 by the General As- sembly. This item was included in the agenda for the pre- sent session despite the categorical objections of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. We are bound to note that this is a flagrant violation of Article 2, paragraph 7, of the Charter of the United Na- tions. This fact in itself transforms the present debate into a factor which is detrimental to the restoration and strengthening of international co-operation among mem- bers of the international community and raises additional obstacles to the political settlement of issues related to the situation created around Afghanistan. 12. The delegation of Bulgaria takes part in this debate only to reaffirm its firm support for the efforts made by the lawful Government of Afghanistan to arrive at a satis- factory settlement of existing problems. 13. The democratic revolution of April 1978 was an ex- pression of the centuries-old aspirations of the Afghan people to break the chains of socio-economic subjection and to do away with feudalism, underdevelopment and poverty. To raise the standard of living of the people, to democratize socio-political life, to create the conditions for the accelerated development of national culture: those, in sum, are the noble objectives of these substantive transformations. It is to be emphasized that the foreign policy of peace and non-alignment, mutual understanding and co-operation with all neighbouring countries con- stitutes yet another valuable gain for the Afghan people. 14. Nevertheless, the forces of imperialism and hegemo- nism, which have seen in the work of this revolution a threat to their selfish interests, have not resigned them- selves to the choice of the Afghan people. The hostile, frenzied campaign against Afghanistan has turned into di- rect intervention, into incessant acts of armed intervention designed to undermine the free and democratic develop- ment of that country. Moreover the tension created around Afghanistan has served those forces that have provoked it to camouflage their global plans to exacerbate the interna- tional situation in order to justify the n,w spiral in the arms race started by the United States and to impose their policy of the position of strength. 15. On imaginary pretexts relating to the so-called ques- tion of Afghanistan all negotiations for the stabilization of the international situation have been blocked, as have ne- gotiations on the effective control of the arms race and the maintenance of the process of detente in international relations. To this end there.is. ~ linking of the situation created around Afghanistan with The solution of radically different questions that have nothing to do with the. des- tiny of that country. This provides further proof that the 16. The propaganda campaign, the sole purpose of which is to give a false image of the real situation, and into which its instigators would obviously like to drag the United Nations, is also continuing. But this attempt to legalize open interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs and the terrorist acts against that country and to justify the unprecedented increase in arms delfveries to certain countries of the region is doomed to failure. 17. At the same time, it is fitting to emphasize that, despite this subversive political campaign directed against independent Afghanistan, the democratic Government of that country is successfully remedying the complex politi- cal and socio-economic problems which it faces. The transformations carried out in the country are irreversible because they are the expression of the will and the deep- est aspirations of the vast masses of the people, since they reflect their vital interests. The consolidation of national unity, public order and economic life and the restoration of confidence, calm and faith in the future are extremely important achievements of the patriotic Government. 18. In the opinion of the Government of Bulg~ria, the political settlement of disputes and the normalization of relations between Afghanistan and the neighbouring coun- tries, that is to say, the only issue concerning the situation which has been created, resides in the realistic and gen- eral approach adopted by the Government of the Demo- cratic Republic of Afghanistan. This flexible approach and the concrete proposals stated in detail in the declara- tion of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanist~Hl on I May 1980,4 and reaffirmed and devel- oped on 24 August last in document A/36/457, set out acceptable bases for a -settlement which will guarantee the political stability of South-West Asia. This should make it possible to eliminate the tension now prevailing in that region and to establish relations of peace and good neigh- bourliness, so that the States and peoples in that part of the world can fully devote themselves to the complex 30- cio-economic problems which they must face. 19. We fully share the view that the key to an equitable and lasting settlement of the problems resides in the ces- sation of any interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, and the adoption and application, under via- ble international trusteeship, of guarantees to prevent such interference in the future. This would create the prior con- ditions for the withdrawal of the limited Soviet military contingent. As we see it, such a political settlement of the situation created around Afghanistan, which could be adopted and applied progressively, would be in the inter- ests of the Afghan people and of the peoples of the neigh- bouring countries and would eliminate tension in the en- tire region. 20. The establishment of a direct dialogue between the countries concerned would be an important practical step in this direction, and would enjoy the full support of all . 26. It must be a matter of deep regret that the Soviet Union has been unwilling, as yet, to accept a solution in accordance with these principles, even though they have been endorsed by III States Members of the United Na- tions. We do not consider that the Soviet Union's support for the proposals put forward on 24 August by the regime in Kabul represents any real advance as far as the sub- stance of the problem is concerned. There is no change in the Soviet demand that the international community ac- cept and recognize a regime which, as the continued re- sistance and the outflow of refugees clearly demonstrate, the Afghan people do not accept. Moreover, the proposals of 24 August provide no guarantee of Soviet military withdrawal and thus fail to address the root cause of the problem. 23. The continuing crisis in Afghanistan is a matter of profound concern to the General Assembly. Its growing toll of human suffering brings anguish to Afghanistan it- self and places an increasingly severe burden on neigh- bouring States. Its reverberations pose an ever-present threat to the stability of the "region and a constant danger to international peace and security. Its long shadow spreads darkness over detente, which is and must be global and indivisible. It is now nearly two years since the Soviet Union began its military occupation of Afghanistan, in flagrant breach of its obligaticns under the Charter. Despite repeated condemnations and calls for withdrawal by the overwhelming majority of the interna- tional community, the occupation continues. Indeed, it has taken on an increasingly permanent character. It is particularly shocking that the people of a developing and non-aligned country should continue to be the victims of such an act of force. This cannot but have a serious effect on international relations. The tragic sufferings of the Afghan people increase. Innocent men and women lose their lives and homes as the occupying forces attempt to suppress a courageous resistance. The refusal of this staunchly indepel1dent people to submit to invasion dem- onstrates the futility of the arguments put forward by the Soviet Union to justify its military action. It is trans- parently clear that the wish of the Afghan people is for freedom to determine their own future. This is also their right. . 21. It is only by understanding the political realities in the region, and the possibility of discussing the problems regarding the situation created round Afghanistan with the overall questions of strengthening peace and security in South-West Asia that it will be possible to bring about stability and eliminate tension in that part of the world.

I have the ho~our to speak on behalf of the 10 member States of the European Community. 24. The enormous scale of the human misery caused by the Soviet occupation is shown by the vast number of ref- ugees now in neighbouring countries-over 2 million in Pakistan alone. The number of these refugees increases day by day, imposing a heavy burden on their host coun- tries. The members of the Community, mindful of the plight of the refugees and recognizing the burden which the host countries are having to shoulder, have been mak- ing a significant contribution towards the international re- lief effort. 25. But assistance to the refugees can be no f!lore than a temporary palliative. What the refugees want is to be able to go home. And that means that there must be a genuine political solution for which the need is more urgent than ever. Such a solution should enable Afghanistan to return to its traditional independent and non-aligned status, free from external interference and with the Afghan people having the full capacity to exer- cise their right to self-determination. It should also enable the Afghan refugees to return to their homes in full se- curity and dignity. The principles which should be ob- served in the search for this solution have been clearly 27. In seeking a political solution the members of the Community have continued to give their support and en- couragement to the initiatives of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. They have welcomed too the efforts made by the non-aligned movement. They gave their full support to General Assembly resolution 35/37 of 20 November 1980, which sought the appointment by the Secretary-General of a special representative who would be able to exercise his good offices in promoting a politi- cal solution in accordance with the provisions of that res- olution. They welcomed the appointment of Mr. Perez de Cueliar, and would like to express their appreciation of the efforts which the Secretary-General and he have made. We "ery much hope that the continuation of these efforts, which are described in the Secretary-General's re- cent report, will serve to overcome the present deadlock and to promote progress towards a political solution in accordance with resolution 35/37. 28. The to members, for their part. have put forward, in the statement by the European Council of 30 June of this year, what they believe to be a reasonable and practi- cal proposal for opening the way to a political solution of the problem of Afghanistan; this plan for a two-stage con- ference on Afghanistan3 was carefully drawn up. It takes account of statements by Soviet leaders but at the same time recognizes that no settlement which is not endorsed by the <Afghan people can bring lasting peace and stability to the area. It accepts that, given the existing political climate, the difficult question of Afghan representation cannot be solved at the outset of the negotiating process. It therefore proposes a formula which postpones that problem until there exists a climate more conducive to agreement, while guaranteeing that the Afghan people will be represented and will participate in all decisions taken by the proposed conference, thereby fully safe- guarding their rights. 29. The members of the Community have found in their contacts with other States a wide measure of support for their proposal as a genuine attempt to advance a peaceful solution. They therefore sincerely regret that the Soviet Union has so far taken a negative and inflexible attitude towards it. They also regret the negative response of the representative of the regime in Kabul contained in docu- ment A/36/672 of 13 November. If and when the Soviet Union truly wishes to withdraw its troops in the context of a political solution-and that withdrawal is the crux of the matter-then the Community's proposal offers a way for negotiations to begin. In the meantime the 10 mem-

The tragedy of Afghanistan continues unabated. The proud and freedom-loving people of Afghanistan and their country are still being subjected to the active presence of foreign troops. The internal strife in Afghanistan is no doubt a consequence of their pres- ence. At the same time the number of Afghan refugees is ever increasing, posing severe social and economic prob- lems for Pakistan and Iran as host countries. The passage of time has not healed any wounds; on the contrary, it has made the need for a negotiated political solution to the problem of Afghanistan all the more urgent. 32. Turkey is -t country whose people have traditionally enjoyed fraternal bonds with the people of Afghanistan. We have therefore been deeply and closely concerned with the unfolding events in that country, and from the outset "-Ye have disapproved of foreign military interven- tion and foreign interference in the affairs of the Afghan people. which constitute grave violations of the basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We have regarded the situation in Afghanistan as a threat to re- gional stability and a danger to international peace and security. Furthermore. we have felt that the developments concerning Afghanistan have dealt a serious blow to the process of detente. which in our estimation is indivisible and global in scope. 33. The situation in Afghanistan remains critical. and the need for a negotiated political settlement is ever more imperative. As we have stated on previous occasions. so- lution of the Afghanistan problem would be best served by a political settlement. Such a settlement should reflect the legitimate interests of all the concerned parties. We believe that the desire and calls for a solution on the part of the international community are necessary conditions for a settlement in Afghanistan. But that desire and the appeals based upon it will not be sufficient to solve the Afghan problem without paving a reasonable road towards such a settlement. The eventual solution and the road to it must, if they are to become reality, be viable and respond to the concerns of all the parties to the problem. 34. In our view. to be fair and lasting, any solution for Afghanistan must provide for the following: the witn- drawal of all foreign troops in the country; the cessation of all foreign inte,rference in its affairs; the preservation of the independence' and sovereignty of Afghanistan and of its territorial integrity and non-aligned character; the free and unfettered exercise of the Afghan people's right to self-determination and self-government; and the return, voluntarily, of the Afghan refugees to their homeland in safety and honour. . 36. We should like also to acknowledge the importance of the initiatives of the Organization of the Islamic Con- ference and of similar efforts within other organizations. The ideas put forward by the European Community have, we feel, been constructive. 37. At the 68th meeting of the thirty-fifth session I said in the Assembly that the debate here and the resolution adopted should bring a negotiated political settlement for Afghanistan closer to realization. We continue to believe that in regard to Afghanistan, as in other conflict situa- tions, it is more useful and purposeful for the United Na- tions ·to help pave the way towards a solution by being constructive and by creating linkages between the parties, rather than emphasizing blame and condemnation. 38. It is in that context and with that understanding that we view draft resolution A/36/L.15. Turkey is a sponsor of that draft resolution. Last year a similar text .received the overwhelming support of the Assembly. We hope that the General Assembly will again demonstrate its resolve to make a positive and constructive contribution to the settlement of the Afghanistan problem by adopting draft resolution A/36/L.15. 39. The people and Government of Turkey strongly wish that the problem of Afghanistan will come to a rapid end with an honourable negotiated solution, for we know that the freedom-loving people of Afghanistan will accept nothing less.

In January 1980, at the sixth emergency special session the General Assembly adopted, by 104 votes in favour. resolution ES-6/2 calling for the immediate. unconditional and total withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. In November of the same year. at the thirty-fifth session the Assembly adopted by the overwhelming majority of III votes in favour, resolution 35/37. calling for the im- mediate withdrawal of foreign troops so as to settle the question of Afghanistan. This year, the Islamic Con- ference. the Conference of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Non-Aligned Countries and a series of meetings of in- ternational organizations and spp.cialized agencies have all condemned the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. demanded the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops. expressed firm support for the struggle of the Afghan people to reg~i:-, their freedom and independence. re- affirmed their IIE-lll to determine their own future and called for full respect for tne independence. sovereignty. territorial integrity and non-aligned status of Afghanistan. 41. The Soviet Union. however. has turned a deaf ear to the voice of the international community and world opin- 42. Two years ago, on Christmas Eve, the Soviet Union suddenly unleashed close to 100,000 troops in an un- declared war against its small and weak neighbour, the non-aligned State of Afghanistan, in gross violation of the Charter of the United Nations awl the norms of interna- tional law. Within a period of two years, it ha:- destroyed towns and villages and massacred the inhabitants by means' of every type of modem arms short of nuclear weapons. Its repeated "mop-up" operations have created a vast no man's land and driven 3 million inhabitants. about one fifth of Afghanistan's total population, into neighbouring Pakistan and Iran as refugees. On the strength uf their modern military apparatus and terrorist tactics, tpe hegemonists had expected a swift occupation of the entire country and complete subjugation of the in- habitants. However, the Afghan people, who have a glorious tradition of resisting foreign aggression, have put up a tenacious fight from the very beginning. For two years now, the entire nation has been engaged in guerrilla war throughout the provinces by fighting with weapons captured from the enemies. In spite of extremely difficult conditions, they are throwing themselves into the war of resistance with an indomitable spirit and are getting stronger with every battle. From the vast rural and moun- tainous areas now under their control, they mount fre- quent attacks on major roads and towns that are tem- porarily in the hands of the enemies. Desertions and defections are rife among the puppet troops as a result of low morale. and the puppet regime is torn by internal strife. The aggressor troops now find themselves deeply bogged down in Afghanistan. It should be obvious that the heroic resistance of the Afghan people over the last two years, aside from shattering the aggressors' dream of a quick conquest, has served to check their southward ex- pansion. The resistance of the Afghan people is therefore more than a fight for their own national survival; it is a contribution to the safeguarding of peace and security in South Asia, the Gulf region and the world as a whole. The international community is duty bound to support in every way possible the just struggle of the Afghan peo- ple. 43. In order to cover up this naked act of aggression. the hegemonists claim that their troops were sent upon the so-called "invitation of the Government of Afghanistan". I need not waste any time on such clumsy fabrications since they have long been exposed by others. What needs to be analysed here is the so-called "political solution" recently put forward by the hegemonists in an attempt to escape condemnation by world opinion. Let liS s~e what it really consists of. 44. The so-called "new proposals" announced this Au- gust in the name of the Kabul regime are no different. in essence. from what has been advocated by the twenty- sixth Congress of the Communist P.drty of the Soviet Union. The following are the key elements of the pro- posals. 45. First. they insist that the armed invasion and oc- cupation of Afghanistan by a foreign Power are the "inter- 46. Secondly, another key element of the "new pro- posals" is the suggestion for a regional conference to be followed by a pledge of "guarantee" from a number of countries. Apparently, the aim, on the one hand, is to gain international recognition for the Kabul regime, which is propped up by foreign occupation forces, and to pro- vide an excuse for the Soviet Union to refuse to withdraw its troops. The aim, on the other hand, is to reduce a global problem which endangers world peace and se- curity-namely, the occupation of Afghanistan by the So- viet Union-to a local or regional matter. In this way, the question of Afghanistan would be steered away from the framework of the United Nations, and thus no longer be subject to tne provisions of United Nations resolutions. This is of course impermissible. 47. Thirdly, the Soviet Union is not prepared to discuss its invasion of Afghanistan because it considers the ques- tion to be the "internal affairs" of that country. But then it suggests that the "international aspect" of the same question should be discussed "in connection with ques- tions of Persian Gulf security". What it seeks here is the conclusion of an "international agreement" which would take into account "the legitimate interest of all parties", and that of course would include. first and foremost, the interest of the Soviet Union. This would enable "all the parties". again including the Soviet Union, "to participate in Gulf affairs" and thereby "guarantee the peace and se- curity of the Gulf region". It should not be difficult to see that the real message here is simply that the filit ac- compli created by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan is "irreversible" and beyond discussion~ whereas the Gulf region. which is as yet beyond the reach' of the Soviet Union. is to be open for Soviet "participation" and med- dling. It is now crystal clear that the real intention of invading Afghanistan is precisely to use it as a spring- board for further expansion into the Gulf region in ex- ecuting the southward-drive strategy. The acceptance of this proposal would be tantamount to rewarding the Soviet Union for its acts of aggression and giving it the green lig~t for aggression on an even larger scale in the Gulf region. 49. In our view, at the present session the General As- sembly should continue to stand up for justice in accord- ance with the wishes of its membership. It must call on the Soviet Union to withdraw, immediately and uncondi- tionally, all its occupation forces from Afghanistan. re- store the independence and non-aligned status of i..ilat country and allow the Afghan people to choose freely their own social and political system. After the question of Afghanistan has been settled in accordance with the aforementioned principles, the countries concerned should join in an international guarantee against any form of in- terference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, the oc- cupation of its territory, or the use of it to violate the i~dependence and sovereignty of other countries in the re- gIOn. 50. Not only does the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet troops threaten the peace and security of neighbouring Pakistan and Iran, but the influx of Afghan refugees also imposes a heavy economic bur- den on those neighbours, Pakistan in particular. The tre- mendous humanitarian efforts and contributions made by the countries concerned in the past year for the relief and resettlement of a huge number of Afghan refugees have been highly appreciated by people throughout the world. The exodus of Afghan refugees continues to increase as a result of brutal suppression by the foreign occupation forces. It is our hope that all the countries that uphold justice and cherish peace, and the international organiza- tions, will continue or increase their material assistance to the Afghan refugees, so as to alleviate their hardship and lessen the burden of such host countries as Pakistan. 51. There is a long tradition of friendship between the Afghan and Chinese peoples. We have always supported and sympathized with each other. Naturally, we are ex- tremely concerned about the serious situation arising from the armed occupation of that country by a foreign Power. China has consistently supported the people of Afghanistan in their struggle to safeguard national inde- pendence and to develop the national economy. China has never interfered in Afghanistan's internal affairs. We are in favour of a just and reasonable solution of the question of Afghanistan, but refuse to accept the fait accompli of the invasion as the basis of any political solution. We want to see the relevant resolutions of the General Assem- bly implemented, so that foreign forces will be withdrawn and the conditions created for the solution of this ques- tion. The Chinese delegation supports draft resolution A/36/L. 15. We urge the General Assembly to adopt it and hope it will be earnestly and fully implemented. 53. It is now close to two years since the serious event in Afghanistan took place. That event, which was in con- travention of the principle in the Charter against military interventions, has had a far-reaching negative impact on international relations. It has increased the sense of inse- curity among smaller nations. The relations between the two major Powers have considerably deteriorated, and the process of detente has received a serious setback. 54. The position of Nepal on the situation in Afghanistan is clear. We have always held that a just world order is best guaranteed by the scrupulous obser- vance of the principles of sovereign equality, non-inter- ference, non-use of force, and peaceful coexistence. The inalienable right· of every nation to choose its own politi- cal, social and economic system, free from interventions or imposition from outside, is sacred and inviolable. These principles are also the cardinal principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and the membership of the Organization commits each State to honour and uphold these principles. 55. The situation in Afghanistan cannot be an exception to the sets of values in international relations. We cannot accept any justification for military intervention, nor can we recognize a situation which is created by intervention. In Afghanistan, our concern has been increased by the human misery that the event has caused. Therefore, we once again reiterate our appeal for the withdrawal of the foreign forces, which alone can enable the people of Afghanistan to exercise freely their right to self-determi- nation. 56. Over the past two years, the international commu- nity has deliberated the situation in various forums. The Security Council and the General Assembly, at its sixth emergency special session and subsequently at its thirty- fifth regular session, considered the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. Outside the United Nations, the movement of the non-aligned countries and the Islamic Conference have explored ways to find a solution to the problem. In this context, my delegation wishes to express its apprecia- tion to the Secretary-General for his endeavours. He and his Personal Representative have been seriously engaged in finding a way to facilitate the search for a just political solution of the situation. We support the continuation of their mission. 57. It is a matter of deep regret that a political solution of the question continues to elude us. We firmly believe that only a just and comprehensive political solution can end the political and human aspects of the Afghan situa- tion. With these considerations in view, Nepal is a spon- f SOT of draft resolution A/36/L.15, which contains basic principles and elements essential to a final political settle- ment, and is a sincere effort on the part of the sponsors to break the present impasse. 58. Mr. van WELL (Federal R~public of Germany): The representative of the United Kingdom has given a compre- hensive outline of the position of the 10 member States of the European Community on the question of Afghani~tan. We fully support this position. 60. When Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan, the Federal Government expressed its shock and concern. The principle of the non-use of force was broken in one of the most sensitive areas of the world. This was done by a Power bearing special responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The invasion was bound to have very serious effects on the international climate. It cast serious doubt on the political will of th~ Soviet Union to participate in the international efforts aimed at outlawing war as a means of politics. The action of the Soviet Army has definitely undermined the cred- ibility of Soviet initiatives in this and other forums con- cerning respect for the principle of the non-use of force. Above all, the lack of restraint demonstrated by the Soviet Union in Afghanistan underscored the fears and suspi- cions of those who are concerned about expansionist So- viet designs. When the Soviet Union sent its armed forces into Afghanistan, the independence, sovereignty and ter- ritorial integrity of a small neighbouring country were violated. These pdnciples are the very basis of the peace- ful development and co~operation of the international community. This is why the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan is a challenge to the stability and integrity of the whole family of nations. 61. But there is no longer any future in hegemonic aspi- rations. Interventions in the internal affairs of other coun- tries are no longer tolerated with silence and resignation. The international community, especially the Islamic States and the non-aligned movement, have clearly demonstrated that they will not accept the Soviet policy of creating faits accomplis in Afghanistan. My Government has supported the impressive initiative of these States to unite for peace. Together with our partners, we strongly supported their urgent appeal for a speedy political solution to the Afghan problem. 62. In General Assembly resolution ES-6/2 and 35/37 the United Nations called for the immediate withdrawal of the foreign troops from Afghanistan in order to enable its people to determine their own fonn of government and their economic, political and social system, free from out- side intervention, subversion, coercion or constraint of any kind whatsoever. We have supported these efforts. Furthermore, we have, within the framework of the Euro- pean Community, helped to elaborate a proposal for a two-phase conference aiming at a political solution of the conflict in Afghanistan which takes into account the legit- imate interests of all concerned. It remains the genuine hope of my Government that this proposal, as well as the mitiatives of the Islamic Conference and the efforts of the non-aligned movement, will help overcome the Afghan problem. . 63. But up to now the situation in Afghanistan remains unchanged. The occupation continues. The Soviet Union has rejected the call of the overwhelming majority of the States Members of the United Nations to withdraw its troops. The Soviet Union has not even agreed to negotiate on a comprehensive and just political solution in accord- ance with the resolutions adopted by the Assembly. Under these circumstances, the persevering efforts of the Secre- tary-General and his Personal Representative to ensure the implementation of resolution 35/37, which we appreciate, 65. But the courageous resistance of the Afghan people has not been broken. In spite of the heavy casualties in- flicted on them by Soviet forces equipped with modem and sophisticated weapons, the resistance is even grow- ing. This clearly indicates the extent of the oppression to which the people in Afghanistan are subjected. It reveals in particular their total disapproval of the political system imposed on them. This is dramatically underlined by the fact that more than 2.5 million out of the 16 million Afghan people have chosen to leave their homes and their country. This tremendous outflow of refugees further im- pairs the social and political stability of the region. Pakistan and Iran have accepted the heavy burden of providing food, shelter and security to most of the Afghan refugees. The international community owes a great debt to these countries. Our thanks go also to the States and international organizations which are contribut- ing, with us, to international relief and assistance. 66. The longer the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan lasts, the more serious its effect or: international peace and security will be and the more intolerable it will be- come. Appeasement in cases of military intervention only encourages further use of military force. Therefore we strongly urge the General Assembly to reiterate the call for a comprehensive and equitable political solution. The Federal Republic of Germany will vote in favour of the draft resolution before the Assembly.

Two major events occurred one year apart. in 1978 and in 1979. Those events pro- foundly upset international relations because of the grave implications for the independence and freedom of peoples on the one hand and for international peace and security on the other. It is generally recognized now that the inter- national situation is no longer wh~t it was only a few years ago because of the invasion and occupation of Dem- ocratic Kanlpuchea by the Vietnamese army and because of the Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. In both cases, an independent State member of the United Nations and of the non-aligned movement, fell. victim to the expansionist policy pursued by the authorities both of Hanoi and of Moscow as part of their global strategy for regional and world domination. 68. In taking part in this debate in the General Assem- bly on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, the delegation of Democratic Kampuchea wishes first of all to extend the fraternal greetings of the people of Kampuchea and the national army of Democratic Kampuchea to the valiant Afghan people and the heroic Mujalzideen. Our people 69. By invading and occupying Afghanistan with some 100,000 soldiers of the Red Army, the Soviet authorities hoped to conduct a swift war and gain a lightning victory. They thought thereby to confront the world with a second fait accompli, the first being the invasion and occupation of Kampuchea by the Vietnamese army. But, contrary to their expectations, as in the case of Kampuchea, the val- iant struggle of the people cancelled out the machinations of the invaders and brought to light the following facts. 70. First, all countries which cherish peace and justice are clearly aware today that detente, peaceful coexistence and disarmament, about which the Soviet authorities have been making so much fuss for decades, are nothing but slogans designed to mask and promote their global expan- sionist strategy. Today the whole world is aware that we have returned to the time of the cold war and that the danger of a third world war is constantly increasing as the expansionist super-Power continues to pursue its strategy of world domination and the Soviet and Vietnamese forces continue their invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and Democratic Kampuchea. Those invasions and occupations have not only destabilized the whole of Asia but have also had a serious impact on international peace and security. They are preventing..the formation of a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality in South-East Asia, and the implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace. 71. Secondly, the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and Viet Nam in Kampuchea are not waging a traditional war of colonial conquest such as history has known in past cen- turies, but are engaged in a war of annexation and racial extermination. In order to achieve their aims the ag- gressors have not hesitated to use chemical weapons and famine, in addition to sophisticated conventional weap- ons. Afghanistan, like Kampuchea. has been put to fire and the sword. The country has been devastated. More than 500.000 Afghan people have been massacred. More than 3.5 million Afghan people. mainly women. children and the elderly. have become refugees in Iran and es- pecially ip Pakistan, where there are more than 2.5 mil- lion of them forming the largest concentration of person!> uprooted by Soviet aggression and expansionism. 77. In barely two years this is the third time that the General Assembly is considering the' situation in Afghanistan, after the Security Council was prevented 72. Thirdly, instead of a swift war and lightning victory. from acting by the invader's use of the veto. For the last the Soviet invasion forces have revealed to the whole ' two years. despite universal and unequivocal condemna- world that they, just like the Vietnamese invasion forces tion. the invaders have refused to withdraw their forces in Kampuchea. are hopelessly bogged down in from Afghanistan and to allow the Afghan people to exer- Afghanistan. Numerous foreign correspondents disguised cise its inalienable right to self-determination. By means as Mujahideen have travelled throughout Afghanistan and of ploys which have been successively thwarted thanks to have reported that the Soviet and Afghan communist the vigilance of the internationa! community, the invade"s forces control only the major cities and certain fortified have stubbornly sought to achieve a .filiI lIccompli in positions. Those reporters have emphasized that they were Afghanistan. It is clear that given its common borders able to move around in broar! daylight without fear 9f with an expansionist super-Power, the Afghan people is aerial attack. going to have to face a long uphill struggle. 74. The Soviet peopie itself condemns that aggression and has rejected the fallacious pretexts of Moscow. On 3 November last, a Soviet diplomat and former official of UNESCO, Nikolai Polianski, declared to the press: "No- body in the Soviet Union believes a word a,bout the so- called fraternal aid extended at the request of the Afghans. Everyone knows that this is a lie but no one dares to say so." 75. Only recently, the Permanent People's Tribunal made up of eminent jurists with world-wide reputations met from I to 5 May 1981 in Stockholm and rendered an unequivocal four-point verdict, as follows: .. I. The penetration and stationing of Soviet troops in Afghan territory constitutes in international law an act of aggression prohibited by Articles 2 and 4 of the United Naiions Charter, as stated in United Nations General Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX). "2. The Soviet Government is guilty of a crime against international peace, in accordance with the defi- nition of a war of aggression, contained in United Na- tions General Assembly resolutions 3314 (XXIX)' and 2625 (XXV). "3. In accordance with the first of those two reso- lutions, such an aggression gives rise to international responsibility. "4. The Government of the Soviet Union is guilty of a violation of article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with respect to the right of the Afghan people to self-~etermination." 76. The Tribunal described the puppet regime of Kabul as "an illegal regime which has become a tool of aggres- sion against its own people". Finally, the Tribunal set up a committee of inquiry on the crimes of the invaders who committed and continue to commit atrocities and mas- sacres against the civilian population, to destroy villages by using napalm and to use toxic chemical weapons and numerous anti-personnel weapons. 79. As the fighting continues in Afghanistan, the Afghan patriotic forces have shown the world their deter- mination to carry out their war of national liberation to the end; Faced with a powerful, well-armed, stubborn and unscrupulous aggressor, the yarious Afghan resistance movements have strengthened their solidarity and unity. . They have successively thwarted all the ploys to sow dis- sension in their ranks. They are fully aware of the diffi- culties which they have to face, just as they are aware of the strength which their unity and just cause represent. They are convinced that eventually they will triumph. They are fully aware that they can rely on international solidarity because their struggle is an integral part of the common struggle of ail of us to def~nd international peace and security and to defend the Charter. That is why at a time when the Afghan people has to endure the most se- vere sacrifices as it presses on resolutely with its struggle Oil its soil, we should assure that people of our constant support and unswerving solidarity. 80. My delegation will therefore vote in favour of draft resolution AJ36/L. 15, which has been submitted by more than 40 countries of the third world and which contains the elements of a just and lasting solution capable of re- storing peace, independence and dignity to the Afghan people and nation, by bringing about the total withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan and the restoration of the inalienable right of the Afghan people to self-determi- nation. The adoption of that draft resolution by an even greater majority than that of previous years will not only be even more encouraging to the Afghan people in its struggle but will also promote the common struggle of all peoples and countries in defence of their own indepen- dence and national identity, and the safeguarding of inter- national peace and security.

On 14 January 1980 and again on 20 November, almost ex- actly a year ago, France spoke in favour of resolutions on the situation in Afghanistan that were adopted by the af- firmative vote of more than two thirds of the States Mem- bers of the Organization. France did so because it consid- 86. The Assembly must therefore through its vote dem- ered that the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan consti- onstrate its will to reach a genuine political settlement. tuted an intolerable violation of the sovereignty and ter- The Afghanistan crisis is serious. and it will not end un- ritorial integrity of a Member State. less tha: settlement enSUles the withdrawal of foreign troops, restores a free and non-aligned Afghanistan and 82 What do we find, a year after the vote on General returns to the Afghan people their right to determine their Assembly resolution 35/37, which, I would recall, was own destiny free from any outside interference of what- adopted by a vast majority and in paragraph 3 of which ever kind. That is the only way that the unrest and suspi- the Assembly called for the "immediate withdrawal of the cion that have become prevalent in that region will be foreign troops"? We note that there are still 85,000 for- dissipated and that international peace and security will be eign troops on the territory of a sovereign State and that preserved. The delegation of France will therefore vote in 83. France shares the concerns that have been expressed from this rostrum by the majority of speakers who have addressed the Assembly today. The situation that now pre- vails in Afghanistan is fraught with serious threats to in- ternatbnal peace and security, and it cannot therefore fail to affect the atmosphere of relations among States. France continues to consider that the Soviet intervention and oc- cupation of Afghanistan remain unacceptable, as was stated here by our Minister for Foreign Affairs on 23 Sep- tember this year, and as the President of the Republic, Mr. Fran~ois Mitterrand, had stated earlier. French public opinion is disturbed. The French are unable to understand why an eminent Member of the Organization, one that is, moreover, endowed with special responsibilities as a per- manent member of the Security Council, is setting itself apart to such a degree from the Charter of the United Nations. 84. Nor does the French public understand why the IQ principles set forth in the Helsinki Final Act are applica- ble to the States of Europe, Canada and the United States, but are ignored when a non-European, non-aligned and developing State is concerned. I would add that the Franco-Soviet Declaration signed at Rambouillet on 22 June 1977 expressly stated that France and the USSR consider it essential to continue and to intensify efforts towards detente on the part of all States, and to adapt "their action vis-a-vis all States and in all parts of the world to the needs of detente".:; We are bound to note that the Soviet action in Afghanistan departs from that Declaration, thereby rendering more difficult the develop- ment of our bilateral relations. . 85. Nor has there been any change in the prospects for a political settlement of this question. Yet the interna- tional community has spared no efforts to seek a solution. whether jn this forum through the good offices of the Secretary-General and his Personal Representative. or in the framework of meetings of the non-aligned countries and countries members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference or at the initiative of the European Council. We, for our part. consider that the statement on Afghanistan which was issued on 30 June of this year by the European Council. and which the representative of the United Kingdom mentioned here today. remains valid. It provides a set of principles and guide-lines that could lead to a genuine solution. 88. Any fair-minded person 'with a sense of realism, in describing the internal development of that country situ- ated on the slopes of the Hindu Kutch would have to take note of the indisputable progress achieved by the Afghan people in the consolidation of their society under the leadership of the Revolutionary Council, headed by Babrak Karmal. That has been achieved in spite of the unceasing intervention of reactionary forces supported by world imperialism and hegemonism. There can be no doubt that among those achievements is the progress in implementing the programme of r~dical social changes, the development· of the economy, the implementation of agrarian reform and the efforts to raise the living stand- ards of the Afghan people. Truly impressive progress has been made towards the elimination of illiteracy in the country. Before the revolution, approximately 90 per cent of the population had no access even to basic education. There is wide support and agreement on"the part of the broadest segments of the population of Afghanistan in re- gard to measures for social welfare and an increase in earnings, as well as in regard to the adoption of measures to maintain the prices for consumer goods at existing lev- els. 89. This progress is all· the more evident in that the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, have had to devote considerable human, financial, military and other resources to fight the undeclared war which has been waged against the people of that country by the forces of international reaction. Bandits armed with every kind of modem weapon have been infiltrating Afghan ter- ritory, killing the peaceful population and carrying out acts of terrorism. During last year's visit of the Foreign Minister of my country, Bohuslav Chiioupek, to Afghanistan we had a chance to see for ourselves the tre- mendous efforts and great determination of the Afghan people to rid themselves, in an historically brief period, of the centuries-old legacy of backwardness which it inher- ited and to heal the grievous consequences of previous regimes whose policies were alien to the real needs and interests of the Afghan people. 90. With our own eye~ we had a chance to see this hap- pening in the capital and hundreds of kilometres away in the provinces. Our visit took place at a time, moreover, when, according to reports in certain Western news me- dia, it was precisely in the Baghlan Province, which we visited, that there was supposed to have been fierce fight- ing going on, and the Governor of the Province, with 92. It is true that the opponents of the progress and well-being of the Afghan people have been trying hard to disrupt the normal course of work on the construction of facilities within the framework of that agreement and, as a result, that work has not been able to proceed at a proper pace. During the high-level visit to Czechoslovakia last Jurie, the Afghan leaders confirmed their willingness to embark without delay and without any prior conditions on negotiations with neighbouring countries on a political settlement of the situation surrounding Afghanistan, and to do so on the basis of the proposals advanced by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan on 14 May 1980. Thereafter the Afghan Government, yet again showing maximum flexibility, elaborated further on those proposals in its statement of 24 August 1981, which reflected its sincere and hi~hly constructive desire and willingness to settle the situation around the negotiating table. 93. Actually, the Afghan Government has held out its hand to its neighbours-held it out quite far, in fact-in the sense that it has agreed to the proposal of Pakistan in respect of the holding of trilateral negotiations. Therefore, it is now for those countries to which the Afghan Govern- ment has addressed this concrete and constructive appeal to respond positively to it and to make sure that subse- quent events proceed in the desired direction-in other words, towards negotiations on a peaceful political settle- ment of the situation surrounding Afghanistan, which would undoubtedly promote a relaxation of tension in the region and have a beneficial effect on the international climate as a whole. 94. In this very Assembly the competent Afghan and Soviet representatives have repeatedly and unambiguously declared that as soon as an end is"put to armed interven- tion and the other forms of interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, and as soon as appropriate interna- tional guarantees in that respect are secured, the reasons for the Afghan appeal to the Soviet Union for the dis- 95. The present situation makes it necessary for a politi- cal settlement of the situation in Afghanistan to be achieved at the earliest possible date; the saying "the sooner the better" applies very much to this situation. Those who are sincerely and truly interested in a .prompt solution of this problem cannot impede the attainment of that political settlement and obstruct or block it. We are convinced that the adoption of the draft resolution before us is precisely one of those acts that not only would not be conduCive to t~.e attainment of a political settlement of the situation surrounding Afghanistan but, on the con- trary, would put serious obstacles and difficulties in the path of such a solution. That is why my delegation will vote against the draft resolution. 96. We wish at the same time to give credit where· credit is due by pointing out' that the Secretary-General and his Personal Representative, Mr. )'erez de Cuellar, have already held several meetings here in New York with the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Shah Mohammad 97. We are quite convinced that the time has now come when precisely such a dialogue betw~n the interested countries of the region is very necessary. Czechoslovakia, for its part. will do its utmost to support any st~p towards such a constructive solution of the problem. The meeting rose at 5 p.m. NurES I See OffiCial Rec'ords of lire Sec'lIr;ly Cmlllcil. th;rt.v-.fif,h Year., 21881h mce~ing. , ! Fitla! Act of lite Ctmfcrcnce 01'1 Sc~urity ~nd Co-operation in ~u-· rope. signed at Helsinki oh I August 1975. . \ See' Bulleti,. of Il,e Eumpea" Comm""it;e.<r. No. 6•.i981. vol. 14. para. 1.1.13. . , . ~ Ibid.. Th;rtJ'~se("(}nd Year. S"l'l,/emenl for JII~\'. AlIglt.<rt' and Sep- tember /977. document ·S/12362. annex 11.