A/39/PV.61 General Assembly

For the sixth time since January 1980, the General Assembly has before it an item on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. 2. Five years after the Soviet intervention, the problem of Afghanistan has still not been resolved. The reasons for the crisis have not disappeared and prospects for a settlement remain uncertain. That is why the General Assembly decided to include this item in its agenda once again. 3. Whatever the arguments might be to justify it, the Soviet act of force in Afghanistan remains a violation of an essential principle of the Charter of the United Nations that makes it incumbent on members of the Organization above all to refrain from the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. 4. France condemns acts of this nature. The Presi- dent of the Republic, Mr. Mitterrand, as well as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Cheysson, have recalled this firmly on several occasions. 5. Developments in Afghanistan can give rise only to strong disapproval and indignation: more than 100,000 Soviet soldiers are still trying to reduce internal resistance by military means. Large-scale offensives, begun this year in most of the provinces of Afghanistan, are a logical extension of the policy pursued for almost five years. These represent an alarming stage and reveal a regrettable obstinacy. France condemns this increased use of force, which cannot stifle the legitimate aspirations of a people. 6. The use of new and increased military action has heightened the suffering of the civilian population: it is not surprising that 3 million Afghans, in order to escape the war, have sought refuge in Pakistan and Iran. 7. This is the situation as it prevails in Afghanistan today. Several speakers have given additional infor- mation in emphasizing the tension on the borders of that country and the risks of an extension of the conflict to the entire region. We cannot fail to be concerned, in this regard, by recent attacks made against Pakistani territory from Afghanistan, causing NEW YORK casualties among Pakistani citizens and Afghan refu- gees. 8. The fact that 116 delegations last year lent their support to the resolution on Afghanistan and that this item is once again on the agenda show the continuing concern of the international community. This concern is shared by French public opinion which has spontaneous sympathy for those who choose to resist in order to safeguard their right to self-determination. 9. It is then quite natural that a number of my compatriots should work selflessly to mitigate the sufferings ofa population which is paying a very high price for its desire for independence. A similar sense of duty among journalists ensures that we shall not disregard or forget what is happening in Afghanistan. 10. I feel it my duty in the Assembly, which is so greatly concerned with respect for human rights everywhere, to salute such proof of courage and dedication. 11. The French fail to understand how an eminent Member of the Organization, which bears the special responsibilities incumbent on permanent members of the Security Council, could so snub the Charter ofthe United Nations, or could disregard resolutions of the General Assembly and refuse to withdraw its troops from the territory it is occupying. As has been said in previous years by the represen~ative of France, nobody should count on obliviqn, resignation or diversion in order to continue to flout universally acknowledged principles. \ 12. The international community has spared no effort in the search for a solution, be it in the framework of meetings of the non-aligned countries, of those pertaining to the Organization of the Islamic Conference or those held at the initiative of the European Council, whose proposals remain valid. In this forum, the General Assembly has called upon the Secretary-General and his Personal Representative to exercise their good offices. 13. The ~fforts made should ensure that we shall arrive at a solution in accordance with resolutions adopted by the General Assembly, which I recall, require the withdrawal of foreign troops, self-deter- mination for the Afghan people, the restoration of the non-alignment of Afghanistan and the voluntary resettlement of refugees in their homes. 14. France fully subscribes to these objectives. It believes that any settlement which strays from the framework defined by draft resolution A/39/L.ll would risk leading only to a semblance of a solution. Vfe cannot be confined simply to settling the situa- tIOn Haround" Afghanistan, we must do this Hin" Afghanistan itself, because it is in Afghanistan itself that we find both the problem and its solution. deve~opm.ent al!d renewal. O~l¥ a negotIat~d polItIc~1 realize that the States which are engaging in all this solutIon, In WhIch all t~e polItical forces m AfghanI- "fuss" about the "Mghanistan question", both with- stan have taken part, wIll have any chance ofsuccess. in and outside the United Nations, and which 34. It is impossible to govern a country in which a attempt to portray themselves as friends and protec- large part of the population has taken up arms or left tors of the Afghan people, are in .fact taking Afghani- its homes to live outside the country's borders stan back to the Middle Ages, to the status of a without realizing that the pacification action taken backward country subjected to imperialist diktat? siJ.lce the events of December 1979 has definitely 41. It should now be clear to everyone that the faIled. undeclared war against the Democratic Repubiic of 35. We are convinced that the Mghan people, like Afghanistan is, in essence, nothing but direct armed all other peoples, desires peace, security and develop- intervention by influential outside forces that are ment. Its love of independence and freedom makes it enemies of the April revolution. There is no need to the duty ofall of us, particularly those who are at the prove that without constant intervention from out- helm in questions ofinternational peace and security, side, without broad material and military support, to enable that people to decide freely about its future, the counter-revolution would have long since been without any interference or coercion, from wherever ~ealt a final blow and would have been uncondition- it may come. ally defeated. 36. It will soon be five years since foreign troops 42. Disregarding the will of the Afghan people and entered Kabul, and my delegation would point out taking account only of their own strategic interests, that there is some reason not to be too pessimistic. A some countries :lre increasing the flow of material glimmer of hope has just appeared in Geneva, where and financial resources to the bands of counter- proximity talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan revolutionaries. Recently, the House of Representa- have been held under the aegis of the Secretary- tives of the United States Congress approved addi- General. The third round, held in August last, seems tional millions of dollars of allocations for a new to have made it possible to clarify some controversial programme of "secret assistance" to terrorists who questions on the agenda of these talks. are carl-ying out bloody reprisals on the territory of 37. We are particularly grateful to the Secretary- Afghanistan. General and his Personal Representative, Mr. Diego 43. According to members of the United States Cordovez, for having explored all the possibilities for Congress, the operations in Afghanistan are the a constructive dialogue by the part~es concerned, on largest ofthose carried out by the Central Intelligence the basis of the documents placed uefore them. It is Agency, apart from the financing of the Somoza useful to note that the new formula for the talks has bands that have been thrown into Nicaragua. accelerated their pace, which has c0!1tributed to some 44. Thus, the whole world is witnessing the United prog~ess, however slow, on the dIfficult road to a States constantly allocating special funds for military solutIOn. operations in Afghanistan-in other words, for kill- 38. My delegation would point out here the impor- ing and subversion in that country.. The Western tance of the establishment of machinery for consult- press unabashedly reports that so-called camps of ing the refugees about the conditions for their return Afghan refugees are being used as bases for throwing to Afghanistan. We consider such machinery to be of together military formations. In this way, terrorism is great importance in the achievement ofa comprehen- being raised to the rank of State policy. sive solution. 45. The activities and deeds of those who claim to 39. Finally, I would like to recall thatJhe fate of the be in favour of the Afghan people's freedom demon- millions of Afghans who have been forced to leave strate that they are not concerned about the tense their homes and their country is of great concern to situation now existing around Af~anistan and that us. We must bear in mind the assistance given them they have no wish at all for a polItical settlement of by the international community, and particularly by that situation. In raising a hue and cry at the United Pakistan, which is bearing the heaviest burden. We Nations and trying to bring about the adoption of hope that this humanitarian assistance will continue anti-Af~an resolutions inimical to the Democratic to be provided to the Afghan people until a compre- RepublIc of Afghanistan, those forces, though their hensive solution to the Afghanistan problem has been words are in favour ofa peaceful settlement, they are found. impeding the process by their deeds, thereby hinder- centre~ ~ave been bUIlt, WIth the help ofthe Pakls~am armed intervention against Afghanistan is geared to authOrItIes. In thos~ ~entres are !o be found ~ll kmds ensuring some sort of recompense to certain well- of weapons an;d mIlItary .supplIes brought m from known forces for the positions they lost along with abro~d. There IS now specIal control over the abov~- the Shah's Iran. It is being used to destabilize the mentIOn~d v~ry refined typ~s of weapons, the S~CUrI: situation in South-West and South Asia and serves as ty.~f WhICh IS ~n.sured partIcularly by the Paklstam a cover for militaristic preparations in the area of the mIlItary authOrItIes. Persian Gulf. Such a policy is a true threat to the 51. The territory ofPakistan has been turned into a independence and peaceful coexistence of the peo- springboard for armed intervention in the internal pIes of that region. affairs ofAfghanistan and a major base for the supply 58. We regard as outrageous the bombastic state- and tr~ining of the counter-revolutionary bands. ments made by some Western leaders about a Accordmg 1.0 .data. produced by a research group at campaign against terrorism, when at the same time ~eshawar Ln~ver~Ity, the number of c~unt~r-re~olu- the terrorists that they are arming are killing people !Ionary orgam.zatIons founded on Paklstam terrItory and destroying an;d burning .villages in Afghanistan. IS now 85. It IS well known that Peshawar has been The Afghan bandIts, whom m the West they like to turned into a major he.adquarters for the ringleaders call "freedom fi~hters", have destroyed 1,800 of the counter-revolutIon. schools, 10 mosques and 130 hospitals in the Demo- 52. Playing an ever more active role in the intensifi- cratic Republic of Afgha~istan.Those so-called pro- cation of a storm of undeclared war against the ponents .of Islam ~~ve kIlled 150 ~ullahs. T~ey are Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamabad is perse~utmg and kIlhng representatIves of the mtelle- trying to accuse the peace-loving Afghan Govern- gentsla-teachers, doctors and nurses. ment of whipping up tensions in that area. We may 59. Having suffered a number of military defeats, refer to a host of propagandist canards about so- the Afghan counter-revolution and those who protect called artillery and air attacks on Pakistani popula- it have now switched to a policy of economic tion centres being carried out from the territory of banditry. They are trying to undermine the develop- Afghanistan. Such reports are usually made on the ment of the national economy of the Democratic eve of another round of Geneva talks aimed at Republic of Afghanistan and its agriculture and crati~ Republic of Afghanistan recently returned to ic Republic of Afghanistan to request and use the the Spin Buldak and Panjwai areas in the province of military assistance of the Soviet Union. The right of Kandahar. A large number of inhabitants of the any State to appeal to any other State for assistance provinces ofBaghlan and Badghis have also returned. in its own self-defence is recognized. It is reaffirmed They assured the Government of the Democratic in the Charter of the United Nations and also in a Republic of Afghanistan that they would protect the number of Security Council resolutions. This right achievements of the April revolution and would has been repeatedly exercised by various States both deliver a worthy rebuff to the forces of imperialism in the distant past and in recent times. It is especially and reaction which are trying to hold back the important for young, independent States which are process of the progressive and democratic develop- defending their sovereignty against foreign interfer- ment of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. ence by imperialists and other reactionary forces. It is 63. Great attention is being paid in the Democratic obvious that those who are trying to deny the right of Republic of Afghanistan to the Islamic religion and the Democratic Republic of Af~anistanto appeal to its followers. The people's power has shown respect a friendly State for assistance In r-esisting an undec- for Islamic traditions among the Afghans; it has lared war that has been under way for more than five guaranteed wide-ranging rights to believers and assis- years are virtually on the side of the enemies Qf the ted religious leaders in their daily work. Afghan revolution and the Afghan people. 64. In such conditions the enemies of the revolu- 69. It is also clear that the limited Soviet contingent tion-which have adopted the slogan "protect that has been brought into Afghanistan at the invita- Islam"-can only advocate a holy war and raise a tion ofits Government is not threatening anyone. On I • • pohtlcal solutIOn to the Afghamstan problem there- 72. ~s regards the d~aft resolutIOn whIch has been fore becomes all the more urgent and desirable. submItted under the Item on the so-called Afghan issue, the Soviet delegation will vote against it, just as 78. The main elements of such a solution have it has voted against similar drafts in the past, since it repeatedly been emphasized by the General Assem- enshrines outside interference in the internal affairs bly: the immediate withdrawal of the foreign troops, of other countries-in this case Afghanistan, distorts the exercise by the people of Afghanistan of its right the real course of events and serves the interests of to self-determination, international guarantees of those forces which are not interested in facilitating a non-interference and the voluntary return of the political settlement but, on the contrary, are attempt- refugees. ing to maintain a hotbed of tension around Afghani- 79 Of th . I bl . 't' t' t h' stan . e vanous va ua e Im Ia Ives 0 ac Ieve a . ... . . political settlement on the basis of these elements, 73. Mr..ROf!AN (AustrIa): The c0!1tmuIng mIlItary the diplomatic process undertaken by the Secretary- mterventIOn .In Af~aI}-Istan remams, almost five General has emerged as the most promising ap- ye~r~ after Its begmnmg,. a sou~ce of deep ,!nd proach. I wish to pay tribute to the Secretary-General legItImate concern for the mternatlOnal commumty. and his Personal Representative, Mr. Diego Cordo- 74. Austria considers it an obligation ofall States to vez, for the energy and the political acumen they refrain from the threat or use of force as a fundamen- have displayed in the pursuit ofa peaceful solution of tal tenet of international order and an essential the Afghanistan problem. Their efforts have led to a condition for the maintenance of world peace. Aust- large measure of agreement on the substantive con- ria's security, like that of all smaller countries in an tents of a settlement. As we learn from the report on exposed geo-political position. depends on the strict the work of the "'-. ~anization (A/39/1], submitted by adherence by all States, in particular the most the Secretary-General to the current session of the powerful ones, to the principle of the non-use offorce General Assembly. the consultations and discussions contained in Article 2 of the Charter of the United over the past year have again proved useful and have Nations. It is therefore with great concern that we resulted in a widening of understandings in some observe the growing tendency towards the violation areas. But. in spite of this valuable work, we are of that vital principle and encroachments upon the concerned about the extremely slow progress of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent negotiations. Now that the foundations of a settle- countries. It is for the same reason that we remain ment are laid, it is for the parties to the conflict to deeply troubled by the foreign intervention in Af- prove their commitment to a peaceful solution and ghanistan. bring the process to a positive conclusion. men~ of dispu~es. It is in this contex~ t~at we have 122. While we note with satisfaction the positive c~nslstently relterate~ our firm conVIctIOn.that ~he developments as contained in the Secretary-Gener- ~Ithdrawal ofall fo~elgn forces ~rom AfghanIstan IS a aI's report, we should like to emphasize the need for a sme qua non for a just ~nd la~tm~ settlement 9f the demonstration of greater political will by all the Afghan problem. Accor.dl.ngly, In hIS st~tement ~n the parties concerned for a comprehensive settlement of general debate, the MInIster for Forel~n A~alfs of the Afghanistan question. The momentum of the Bangladesh c~lled upon a c01.,lntry th~t IS a fnend of present diplomatic initiative, therefore, should be ours, t~e SovIet U~IOn, to. ":Ithdr~w ItS troop~ from stepped up, for the early solution of the problem in AfghanIstan..For, In fact, It IS thelf presence ~n that accordance with the principles of international law country that IS the crux of the. problem besettmg th.e and the Charter of the United Nations. brave, noble and freedom-Iovmg people of Afghanl- .... . stan. We are equally convinced that the Afghan 123. It IS In thIS .splnt that Bangladesh has spo~- people should have restored to them their inalienable sored dra~t resolutIon A/39/L.ll. We hope that thIS right to choose freely their own political, social and draft, whlc~ enco~passes all the elements of. a economic system, without any outside interference or comprehensIve solutIon of the Afghan prob.!em, WIll intervention. It is regrettable that, although in the receIve the strong and firm SUpp01t of thIS body. past the General Assembly has adopted comprehen- 124. The Secretary-General, in his report, has noted sive resolutions on the subject emphasizing these two that a "comprehensive settlement was from the basic elements, the people of Afghanistan are still beginning conceived as the most effective way to denied their inalienable right to determine their own resolve all the issues that have brought about the destiny, because of the continued presence of foreign present situation and to lay solid foundations for forces in their country. good-neighbourly relations in the area~' [ibid., para. 119. Preceding speakers have correctly underlined 6]. Let us then act firmly and decisively in our how the persistent problem in Afghanistan has common endeavour to that end. jeopardized regional and global peace and security. 125. Mr. ZHULATI (Albania): It is five years now There is also the humanitarian aspect ofthe problem. since the Soviet socio-imperialists launched their The exodus of Afghan refugees, which now ~n into aggression against Afghanistan, and freedom-loving several millions, into the neighbouring COlmtnes has peoples and countries continue to raise their voice further aggravated the security problem ofthe region. and condemn the occupation of that sovereign coun- The magnitude of the refugee problem is indeed a try. The use of military force by the Soviet Union legitimate cause for the concern of the international against a small and peace-loving people, the Afghan community. We cOJ?1mend the valuable effort§ by the people, after the shameful aggression it undertook Office of UNHCR In this regard. We also commend against Czechoslovakia in 1968, is another demon- !he eff<?rts ofthe Isla~ic. ~epuplicof Pakistan, which stration of the pronounced military character of its IS ~ea~mg the responsIbIlIty c_hokmg after .the vast policy. majont~ of these re~ugees. At the same tIm~, we 126. The occupation of Afghanistan is, at the same should lIke to t:~phaslz~ the need for the creatIOn of time, a serious threat to all peace-loving peoples of necessary condItIons whlc~ would ~nable th~ Afghan the region and of the world in general and to refugees to return voluntanly to theu homes In safety international peace and security. This demonstrates and honour. .. ... that the Soviet socio-imperialists, like the American 1.20. . Banglade.sh, m the 1.lght of the eXls!lng SItUa- imperialists, constitute a great danger and threat to tIOn m Afghamstan, remams firmly convInced that the freedom and independence of the peoples of the there is no alternative to a comprehensive political world at large. settlement. Such a settlement must be based on the . purposes and principles of the Charter of the UnHed 127. Th~ SovIet soclo-lmpenalIsis dl~patched th.elr Nations and it should be reached through a process army agamst the Afghan people, ~ount.Ing on a qUIck ofgenuine negotiations and mutual accommodation. end to the operat~on and easy subjugatIOn. The br~ve The General Assembly, at preceding sessions, has and freedom-lovl~gAfghan pecple, although facmg clearly identified the following components of a a~ enemy greater m number and armed to the teeth comprehensive solution of the Afghanistan problem: WIth the most modern weapons, from the very outset first, the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces took up arms to fight for freedum. from Afghanistan; secondly, the preservation of the 128. The Afghan people did not, and will not yield sovereignty, territorial integrity, ~ndependence and to the invader, even though the Soviet army, as is non-aligned character of Afghanistan; thirdly, the already well-known, is using scorched earth tactics. reaffirmation of the right of the Afghan people to The Soviet army is not only burning down everything determine their own form of government and to and causing great destruction, but is even committing choose their political, economic and social system barbarous crimes against children and undefended free from outside intervention, subversion, coercion men and women, thus acting as atrociously and or constraint of any kind whatsoever; and, fourthly, harshly as do all occupiers. the creation of necessary conditions which 'Yould 129. Despite such conditions, the brave Afghan ena.ble the Afghan refugees to f<~turn voluntanly to people are continuing their struggle and stepping up theIr homes In safety and hOB1l>ur. their determined resistance to the occupiers, dealing 121. As to the current initiative of the Secretary- them heavy blows all over the country. This resis- General, my delegation attaches particular impor- tance is compelling Moscow continuously to increase st~n has frequently ~enounced these abom!nable took place only at the end of 1979. It would therefore CrImes committed a.gamst the Afghan ~eople I~ the be extremely unfortunate and in obvious bad faith course o~ the past SI~ years before the mter.natI~nal were one to attempt to connect the two matters, in commumty. From thIS .rostru!O we mu.st agaIn ~Igor- particular to make the convening of that Conference ously condemn the polIcy of.mterventIOn that lIes at dependent on the settlement ofthe so-called question the root of!he prese~t suffermg o~ the Afgha~ people of Afghanistan. and the senous tensIOns surroundmg AfghanIstan, to ' . the detriment of peace and security in South-West 150. In the course of the past SIX ye~rs the pepple Asia and in the world. and tht: Government of the DemocratIc Repl;1bhc of . Afghamstan have successfully grappled wIth the 146. I~. ~n attempt to dI.St<?rt events. and put multifarious, undeclared war being waged by their ~esponslb.Ihty on th~ very VIctIms of.theIr. acts of enemies. The democratic and progressive achieve- !nterv~n!Ion, those m. the warmon~ermg cI~cles of ments of the April 1978 revolution have been ImperIalIsm, hegemomsm and re.actIOn contIn~e to preserved. The people's power has been reinforced; make much of the so-called questlo~ of Afghamstan. reforms and achievements have been made in vari- On the one hand, they shed crocodIle tears ov~r the ous areas-political, economic, cultural and social; fate ,?f ma.ny Afgh~ns c.ondemned to becom: refu- living standards and work conditions have been gee.s agamst !heIr wIll,. to become mer....enanes improved. The policy of clemency and ofwidespread traIne~ on Chmese te~ntory and elsewhere, and national reconciliation which has been consistently operatIng fr<?m sanc!uanes not far from the Afghan and vigorously practised has been favourably re- borders agamst theIr own people and th~Ir own ceived by Afghan citizens who had been corrupted or home~and. On. th~ ot~er hand, they contmue to deceived and, indeed, has gathered them in increas- questIon the JustIficatIon for the sacred struggle ing numbers back to their own people undertaken by the people and Government of Af- . ..' ghanistan, with the aid of the Soviet Union, to 151. T~e Afghan p~opl~ IS strIdmg. confidently defend the sovereignty, independence, national unity forward I~ order to bUl!d ItS new, free,. mdependent, and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic ~emocratI~ and ~aI?PY hfe..The revolutIOnary process of Afghanistan. m Afghamstan IS IrreversIble. 147. To shed further light on the true position and 152. At the same time, the Government of the the real culprits, it would appear useful to recall a few Democratic Republic ofAfghanistan soon evinced its facts. A Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighbourliness goodwill by putting forward proposals on 15 May and Co-operation was concluded between the Union 19801 and 24 August 19812 constituting the basis for of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Democratic a just solution to the situation in South-West Asia. Republic of Afghanistan in December 1978. The On the one hand, those proposals are designed to put deb~te. We must pray !hat, even at th~s late stag~, the to exercise political control of the country, remains So,:let Governme~t WIll heed t~e VOIce. of ~he Inter- fractured. Political intimidation and assassination natIOnal comt:Dumty, .and by wlthdrawmg ItS for~es remain facts of political life in Kabul, and they are from. Af~hanIstan Wlt~out delay, mak~ a major often blamed on the resistance in an effort to cover contrIbutIOn to peace m a troubled regIOn. up the inability ofthe leadership of the Party to bring 179. Mrs. KIRKPATRICK (United States ofAmer- the two factions together and to govern effectively. ica): The occupation of Afghanistan approaches the 184 N tt h d . I·· d d end of its fifth year In the succession of ",-"pia' . 0 ma er w at om~stIc p~ ICles are a ~pte , . d db' h G ~P"':--·L the Government of AfghanIstan IS unable to Imple- seSSIOns.an e ates, t e eneral Assembly has t11l~e ment them beyond K::Ibul and a few other c·f es The and agaIn called for an end to the occupatIon of thIS . f K b I· If-. . I 1 •• beautiful land of ancient caravans. Time and again CIty.O a u Itse ~ remams u~der vIrtual SIege, we have called for the withdrawal of invading forces, despIte the ~normou;:> concentratIOn of troops t~ere. for the right of the people of Afghanistan to deter- ~he authonty of the Government of Afghamstan mine their own future. Yet even after five years and sImpl~ does not e~tend.bey,?nd. a few strongholds. In II h f ~ h··' .. . . fact, In one major CIty It IS reported that the at. ese e lOrtS, t e SItuatIOn r~mams vlrtuall~ as It Governor, to go to his office tor a few hours a day, was m th~ .first ~ear of occupatIon, a human dl.~aster must travel in a convoyed armoured persortnel and a mIlItary Impasse. carrier. 180. The Soviet war against the Afghan neople, the Afghan nation, has now lasted longer than [he Second 185. After the release of some political prisoners in World War. But still the Afghan people are not the early months of 1980, the repression in Afghani- subjugated. So, after five ~ong and difficult years, the stan is again intensified. There are more political struggle continues. But we should not be too sur- prisoners than ever before. The secret police, known prised at the will and determination of the Afghan as KHAD, are ubiquitous. The role ofSoviet advisers people. Since at least the time of Alexander the in every aspect of the Government of Afghanistan Great, they have demonstrated their extraordinary has increased to the point that every major decision willingness to bear hardships and make sacrifices in appears to be made by Soviet advisers, not by long and bitter resistance against foreign invaders Afghans. During the heavy fighting in the summer of from all directions. They are perhaps the original 1984, the Soviet forces were forced to take over an national liberation movement .:n the true and most increasingly large share of the fighting, largely be- meaningful sense of that term. Their struggle to cause the Afghan Army, rent by disloyalty, deser- liberate their nation will go on. tions, defections, and failing discipline, lacks the will to fight. 181. What has happened in Afghanistan during these five tragic years? The regime of Babrak Kar- 186. What has happened to Afghanistan? Its econo- mal-installed by the Soviet Union during the my has been virtually destroyed. Tha~ economy was December 1979 invasion, after another communist already stagnating after the April 1978 coup, but Prime Minister, Hafizullah Amin, and all his family since then Afghanistan has experienced wrenching had been killed-that regime has remained unpopu- economic disruption and destruction. Two years ago, lar, weak, divided within itself. It has been able in April 1983, Prime Minister Sultan Ali Kishtmand neither to increase its support throughout the country admitted at an economic seminar at Kabul that about nor to win the allegiance of the Afghan people. When 24 billion afghanis, equivalent to some $432 million, Babrak Karmal assumed the leadership of th(~ Gov- in damage had already bep.n done to that country. ernment in Kabul, his strategy appeared to be to seek This is one half the total amount set for developing to gain plibiic sympathy by blaming the evils endured the country's economy during the 20 years before by the Afghans on the previous Government. Yet, he April 1978. Agricultural production has also de- ~as increasingly rejected by the Afghan nation and elined, necessitating the importation of large ItS leaders personally. He also sought to reconcile the amounts of grain. Severe food shortages exist in estranged Parcham and Khalq factions within the various areas of Afghanistan, in part because food People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, to insti- has been deliberately burned and livestock destroyed. tute conciliatory domestic policies, to release many Most educated and skilled Afghans have fled, along political prisoners and ease political repr~ssion, to with millions of their countrymen, as refugees to downplay the role of Soviet armed forces and Pakistan, Iran and other parts of Afghanistan. Val- advisors, to strengthen the Afghan army and to lay leys and villages have been deserted; factories are idle the foundation for the transformation of Afghan and the agricultural infrastructure, developed over social and economic systems by Sovietizing the centuries, has deeply deteriorated. educational system and sending Afghans as exchange 187. The effects of all this destruction are now students to the Soviet Union for training. The goal, it emerging throughout the country. Afghan Aid, a would appear, was to produce a docile client state. charitable organization, recently provided the results 182. What has happened in Afghanistan in the past of its investigation of over 5,000 children in 30 five years? At the most general level, we may see that Afghan provinces. The report estimates that half a the goal of the occupying forces and of their puppet million Afghans are in imminent danger of starva- Government has not been achieved and that few of tion. According to Ms. Frances D'Souza, director of the strategies of that Government have had any the study, conditions in the developed areas of the success at all. Hostility to the re&im.e.of Babrak c.ot.Intry have been severely damaged, the standard of ~~~~_~~:_~.~~~M~nd~t~U~~. fi . . mterests of all partIes. Day a ter day, contemporary occupymg armIes ex- perience the fulfilment of Rahman's prophecy that, 203. What else can we do? We can support the day after day, contemporary Afghans realize. steady' and untiring efforts o~ the Secretary~General 200. For five long years the Afghan people, who are and hIs Personal RepresentatIve., Mr. D!ego Cordo- ~urely among the most courageous and independent vez. They have .mad~ progress m definmg a s~ttle- m the world, have demonstrated their determination ment and how It mIght come about. As PresIdent to remain a people. What can the rest of us learn Reagan said in his address to this body on 24 from this harsh experience? We can note and remem- September of this year [4th meeting], United States ber the incredible courage and endurance of the strong!y supports the efforts o(the Secretary-General Afghan people. We can affirm that their battle is not and hIs Personal RepresentatIve. We welcome the lost, that their struggle is alive in Afghanistan's announcement that those efforts will resume in 1985. valleys and mountains and in this world body. We sUl'port, too, the strong efforts tpe Governme~t 201. The proposed draft resolution and the expect- of P~klstan has ~ade to seek a solutIOn through th!s ed vote in the Assembly are a reflection of the views medIUm. We beheve .that thes~.efforts offer the basIs of us all against the outrage that continues il~ for hope t~at a ~egotlated pohtI~al settlemen~ can be Afghanistan. What can we do to help? We can found whIch wIll end. the ternble war agamst the remember the n~eds of the Afghan people, of the Afghan people. We b~~le~e that the people ofAfghan- Afghan refugees In Pakistan; we can remember what Istat:l, the ~eople of . akIst:.n and the people of the the Government of Pakistan and its people have SovIet UnIOn: would prodt greatly from such a done to ease the plight of the Afghan refugees. We peaceful solutI~n. We very much hop~ that t.he can applaud the humanitarian work of the UNHCR processes here In the General Assembly wIll contnb- WFP and of private voluntary agencies-all thos~ ute to that end. who labour without recess to assist the millions of refugees. We can support their efforts. We can note and appreciate the contributions of all those volun- teers, of the Government of Pakistan and of the United Nations and other bodies to the survival of the Afghan refugees huddled on the borders. Vv'e can vote for the draft resolution that is offered here in this body. It is not too difficult to conceive a solution for Afghanistan's problems. In fact the basis for a solution is present in the draft resolution on which we shall vote in this body. ~02. The Uni.ted States supports the draft resolu- tIon on Afghamstan before the Assembly. We believe The meeting rose at 1.35 p.m. NOTES 2/bid.. Thirty-sixth Year, Supplement for July, August and September /98/, document S/14649, annex. 3Economic and Social Council resolut!on 1984/37.