A/39/PV.62 General Assembly

Regrettably, we are once again this year being subjected to the discussion of an item which, as now formulated, implies interference in the internal affairs of a Member State, the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. To have this item as it is on our agenda contradicts the stipula- tions of the Charter of the United Nations, and therefore we have to take issue with it. 2. Having said that, I would add the Hungarian delegation's voice to that of others who want to set the record straight: it is not the situation in Afghani- stan which should rightly be a matter for our concern but, rather, the continuous foreign intervention which not only is not secret but sometimes is quite heavily advertised, and which is directed from vari- ous sources against the lawful Government of Af- ghanistan. This intervention creates tension in the region, and it is this on which our attention should rightly be focused. 3. Every objective observer would recognize that since the 1978 revolution greater steps have been taken than ever before to eradicate Afghanistan's age- old, inherited backwardness. One of the first meas- ures taken by the revolution was the introduction ofa democratic land reform to benefit the peasant masses instead of the few feudal landlords; along with the land reform, a law was approved for the democratic reform of water distribution. Sibnificant results have been achieved in attacking and overcoming illiteracy. As a result of a vigorous campaign against illiteracy, more than a million people have learned how to read and write in the last five years. Education and health services have been expanded and successful efforts are being made to increase the general well-being of the population. People from all walks of life are joining in the National Fatherland Front and are taking an active part in building a new society. 4. History teaches us that victory by the new over the old cannot be won without a struggle; forces of reaction and backwardness have to be overcome. In Afghanistan's case these forces of reaction and coun- ter-revolution are being actively supported from the outside. They get their training and equipment outside Afghanistan and they are sent to that country to destroy peaceful work, to blow up bridges and NEW YORK power lines, to commit violent crimes, to kill and terrorize the population. They can and they do cause harm, material damage and loss of the most precious value: human life; but they cannot turn back the tide of history. This violence and terror, aided and abetted from the outside, must be stopped. This is the first and foremost requirement for solving the problem arOund Afghanistan; this is the issue we should be concerned with. And a solution to this problem can and must be found by seeking a just and lasting settlement of relations between Mghanistan, on the one hand, and some of its neighbours, on the other. 5. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan has repeatedly come out in favour of negotiations aimed at the normalization of relations among the countries of the region and has put forward concrete proposals to that end. It is only through negotiations that a peaceful settlement end- ing foreign intervention in Afghanistan can be reached and a normal sitaation around it can be restored. The best and most efficient way of reaching an agreement would be the holding of direct negotia- tions. Unfortunately, initiatives to this end have not succeeded so far. 6. In the absence of direct negotiations, the contin- uation of the efforts of the Secretary-General to promote a political solution constitutes the only active mechanism of negotiations. Therefore we highly appreciate the efforts of the Secretary-General and encourage him to pursue these negotiations further. Although we are concerned over the slow pace of these negotiations, there are some positive elements. It is important that there should be a sincere readiness by all the parties concerned to reach a political solution. It is encouraging that during the consultations by the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General in Islamabad and Kabul in April this year, a set of understandings could be worked out and a number of specific steps agreed upon to give impetus to the diplomatic process. All in all, discussions held so far have proved to be useful and, mainly because of the flexible approach of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghani- stan, some progress has been made. We hope that other interested parties will show a similar attitude and that the diplomatic process in search of a peaceful solution will be speeded up and a compre- hensive settlement will be reached. Such a settlement not only would end foreign intervention in Afghani- stan but also would promote the restoration of peace and stability in the region. 7. We have repeatedly stated on previous occasions that just and lasting negotiated solutions of conflicts can be found only on the basis of respect for one another's interests, respect for the sovereignty of countries and non-interference in their internal af- t10~S, b~t has also created a hot spot ofwa~ m South Power have prevented any progress in the proximity As~a WhICP threatens the peace and secunty of the talks at Geneva on a political solution of the Afghan ASIan regIOn. question and obstructed the relaxation of the tension 11. The foreign. military occupation has .brought in Afghanistan. unheard-of suffenng to the people of Afghamstan. In 16. Afghanistan is a close neighbour of China. The the past five years several hundred t~qusand Afg~ans peoples of the two. countries maintain an age-old have been m.assacred and over 4 mtlhon people In a traditional friendship. Since the establishment of desper~te phght have bee.n fo~ced to flee to other formal diplomatic ties in 1955, relations between countnes as refugees..ForeIgn aIrcraft and tanks h~v.e China and Afghanistan had developed normally on des.o~a;ted ~ou!1t~essytllages, orchards, farms and clv~l the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexist- facI1!tIes, ~nfllctlOg Immeasurable losses on Afgham- ence. The Soviet armed invasion and occupation of stan s natIOnal economy. Afghanistan not only seriously menace the peace of 12. However, the Afghan people who cherish free- the Asian region, but also threaten the security of dom and independence have not knuckled under the China. Therefore, China cannot but watch closely the bayonet of the aggressors. With a bitter hatred of the developments in Afghanistan, and it strongly con- enemy, they have fought heroically against the for- demns the super-Power's acts of aggression against eign aggressor troops, and their fight has developed the country. into a nation-wide war of resistance. Their just 17. The Chinese Government: has consistently held struggl~ has won sympathy and sl;lpp~rt from all that the resolutions with regard to the Afghan countnes and peoples that uphold JustIce and love question adopted at five previous sessions of the peace. General Assembly must be fully implemented, that 13. Ever since the military invasion of Afghanistan foreign troops must withdraw from Afghanistan the international community has been gravely con- unconditionally, and that the independent and non- cerned about the incident, with one country after aligned status of Afghanistan must be restored, so as another condemning the aggressors for their criminal to ensure that the Afghan people will determine their acts of brutal intervention in the internal affairs of own destiny, free from outside intervention, and that Afghanistan and the cold-blooded massacre of inno- the Afghan refugees will return to their homes in cent Afghan people. The General Assembly has safety and honour. Any political settlement of the adopted relevant resolutions by an overwhelming Afghan question must take fully into consideration majority on five successive occasions, demanding the and reflect the views ofthe Afghan people engaged in total withdrawal of the foreign troops from Afghani- the fighting. This is the only way towards an early stan and the restoration of its independence, sover- end to the occupation of Afghanistan, the normaliza- eignty and non-aligned status. tion of relations between the countries concerned and 14. The Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and a speedy elimination of the source of tension in the the Organiza:ion of the Islamic Conference have regIOn. time and again issued statements and adopted resolu- 18. The Chinese delegation hereby reiterates that tions, respectively, expressing serious anxiety and after the Afghan question is settled in conformity resolut~ and. irrevocabl.e choice of the. people of mence with w~ich Washington has gone about prais- Afghamstan Itself. In spIte of the brutal mterference ing the enemIes of the Afghan people as "freedom of external forces which, by their nature, c.ould not fighters" and by the way Washington began, and has tolerate those progressive changes in Afghamstan, the continued, to provide broad financial and military achievements and accomplishments of the Govern- assistance. ment of th~ Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, .as 70. In this context I should like to quote an article we heard ~n the stateII?-ent made yes!erday by ItS from the Internationalllerald Tribune of 12 Septem- representattve, Mr. Zanf, are u~q~esttonable.. ber of this year: 62.. Early last sU!TI.mer the ~mIster for F<?reIgn "According to the Federation for Afghan Ac- AffaIrs of.Poland VISIted Afgh~mstan. It gave hIm.an tion . . . $325 million in CIA funds has been opportumty. person~lly to w!tness the progreSSIve spent on this programme since it began shortly transformatIons takmg pl~ce m .that count.ry, ",:hose after the December 1979 Soviet intervention. The leaders and peopl~ are ~Olng theIr utmost, In spIte ~f Afghanistan programme is the largest covert CiA the well-~nown SItuatIon crea!ed .arou.nd Afgham- operation, according to a Congressional source."* stan, to Improve the economIC SItuatIOn and the fi f ' material, cultural and living standards of the Afghan 71:. Do the ree~om fig~ters o. South ,Afnca, Na- people, to defend the national democratic revolution, !TIIbIa and Palestme receIve aSSIstance trom. Wash- independence and sovereignty ofAfghanistan, and to mgton on as generous a scale as do the enemIes and build a society founded on the principles of social *Quoted in English by the speaker. fo~ce pursued by Mosc~w. and Kabl;ll. '!'e fjrmly admired by all. But that is not the case with its reject those .attacks. In glvmg humamtar~an aid we adventure m Afghanistan, where-like the Vietnam- are. responqmg to the ~ppeals la1.!nc.hed m relevant ese army in Kampuchea-it has come not as a Umted NatIOns resolutIOns. ~he a!d IS not the ~ause, liberator but to oppress and destroy but a consequence, of the situatIOn created m Af- . ghanistan. The Federal Republic ofGermany will not 105. In Afghanistan, it has launched many mop-up be swayed by such unjustified comments in its operations, with a brutality and barbarism rarely determination to continue to shoulder its share in known in history, making no distinction between the mitigating the plight of the suffering people and in mujahidin guerrillas and civilians. Coming directly lightenhtg the burden of the much-tried Govern- from bases located in the Soviet Union, waves of ments. If the Kabul regime were actually threatened, bombers, often carrying out more than 100 sorties a as it claims, by "bandits and murderers", and not by day, have razed villages, destroyed farms and irriga- a large popular movement, it would hardly need for tion systems and massacred civilians suspected of its survival those more than 100,000 Soviet occupy- aiding the national resistance. Chemical and bacteri- ing troops. ological weapons have been used where conventional 100. The Secretary-General and his Personal Rep- weapons have proved to be ineffective. As in.Kampu- resentative enjoy our support and full confidence in che~, the aggressors are wa~mg a ~enocldal war their efforts towards finding a peaceful political a&all~st the AfgJ;1an peo{>le, m a yam .attempt to solution to the conflict in accordance with the ehmmate all natIonal resistance. It IS estimated that relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. We since t~e Soviet invasion 1.5 million Afghans have appeal to the Soviet Union to pave the way towards be~n killed and hundreds. of thousands h~ve b~e!l such a solution by withdrawing its military forces. senou.sly wounded. ~he pnsons are filled With pohtl- That solution would have to include a return of the cal pnsoners and resistance fighters who are tortured Afghan refugees to their home country in freedom and then executed without trial. a!ld dignity. and a r~sto~ation of the Afghan pe<?ple's 106. The intensive Soviet air raids and mop-up nght to self-dete!mmatIon and of the non-ahgned operations have led to the displacement of people status of Afghamstan. within the country itself and have changed the 101. For these reasons, my delegation will vote in country's demographic map. Millions of persons favour of draft resolution A/39/L.l1, sponsored by have left the rural areas and taken refuge in liberated 46 membeis of the tvlovement of Non-Aligned Coun- towns and zones. The population of Kabul has grown tries. We appeal to other Member States also to cast a from 800,000 to 2 million. 136. As was stated in the debate at the present session by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, Mr. Dost, his country "has ... conducted earnest and serious negotiations with Pakistan through the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, with a view to finding a negotiated settlement to the outstanding problems between the two countries.... We have full proof of our flexibility and political will to achieve an early solution of the present appalling situation around my country. We are for concrete actions." [12th meeting, para. 88.] 137. It is precisely along these lines that we see a broad field ofactivity for States interested in normal- izing the situation in Afghanistan and not through fruitless discussions in the United Nations on the so- pr~gressively strengthen in our. h~arts and in our 199. What is most unfortunate is that those who mmds so as to make them prevaIl m all parts of the blacken the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan world. refuse to distinguish between the causes and the 190. Yesterday [60th meeting] the representative of consequences of the presence of the Soviet military Oman said that that same concept of peace and its contingent in Afghanistan. Furthermore, it is claimed aforesaid corollary are applicable in Central America, that the military presence violates the independence, Kampuchea, Afghanistan and any part of the Earth sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country where those principles do not prevail. and represents a threat to the peace and security of 191. Honduras believes this, too, which is why we the region. voted in favour ofthe t:esolution on the Internati0!1al 200. Suffice it to recall briefly the historical record Year ~fo Peace [reso!utu;m 39110] al}d the resolutIon to see whence comes the threat to Afghanistan's contammg the DeclaratIOn on the RI~t.ofPeoples to independence. In fact, from the nineteenth century Peace [res~!ution ~9111, annex] belIeVIng a~ we do onwards, an imperialist Power has tried on numerous !hat on. thIS q:ues~IOn no one ~hou!d be g.Ulded by occasions to bring that country to subjection in order IdeologI~al preJu~Ic~ ~r .tendentIou~Ideas, smce what to defend its own colonial possessions in India; and, ~e seek. IS peace Ind~vlslble and unIversal, and not an starting in 1918, it tried to turn it into a hotbed of IdeologIcally commItted peace. aggression against Soviet Russia. After the Second 192. It is to be hoped therefore that those of us who World War, particularly after 1955, the date of the think ofpeace as the right Ol~ mankind as a whole will signing of the Baghdad Pact establishing the Central support the present draft resolution. Treaty Organization, the imperialist Powers tried to 193. For all of the aforementioned considerations, impos.e on Afghanistan a p~~-imperialist attitude to Honduras has sponsored draft resolution A/39/L,11 force It to adhere t<;> that mIlItary bloc. To .that e~d, on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications they us~d all pOSSIble w.ays and ~eans, I!1clud~ng for international peace and security. economIC pressures, and It ~as SOylet RUSSIa WhICh 194. Mr. VONGSAY (Lao People's Democratic was th~ first State to re~ogmze the Independence a!1d Republic) (interpretation from French): How many sov~relgnty of Afgha!1Istan. It ~as also the SOVIet times have we heard in this forum delegations Um~n WhI~h. helped It several tImes to es~ape. fro.m proclaim their dedication to the purposes and princi- the. ImpenalI~t stranglehold and to mamtaln ItS pIes of the Charter! However, this is now the fifth actIve n~utralIty. . . year in a row that some delegations, for reasons 20 ~. It IS, th~refore, 1f~mc that ~hose same Powers which they do not hide, have put this item on the wh~ch once tn~d to subjugate ~hIS ~ountry are now agenda of the General Assembly, despite the formal trymg, along WIth some or. theIr al!Ies, t~ ~et t~em- opposition of the major party involved, the Demo- selves up as arde~t champIOns of.ItS polItIcal mde- cratic Republic of Afghanistan. But are those delega- penden~e., sove~elgnty an~ non-ahg!led character- tions aware that in proceeding in this manner they all qualItIes whIch Afghamstan contInues to possess. are committing an act of flagrant interference in the 202. In the same way, the Soviet military presence internal affairs of a Member State, and in so doing in no way poses a threat to peace and security in the are violating one ofthe fundamental principles ofthe region. Undoubtedly the reactionary regimes in the Charter which they claim they wish to defend? region fear that the Afghan revolution will spread like 195. ~kiltion is often made of a loss ofprestige and an oil slick in. their own countries, where democratic credibility of the Organization and of the ineffective- and progressIve forces-weary of the corruption, ness of its resolutions and decisions. But how can we exploitation, oppression and obscurantism which are hope to see the prestige of the United Nations causing the decay of their societies-are ready to enhanced and its resolutions properly applied ifthose explode, given the least chance to do so. Thus, who complain of this are among those who most joining in the chorus with imperialism and interna- actively give their backing to a question which, by its tional reaction, these regimes busy themselves in very nature, represents a violation of the fundamen- decryi.ng the "Soviet threat" in order to divert the tal principles of the Charter? attentIon of those forces. 196. Various reasons, each more superficial than 203. The real threat to the countries of the region is the last, have been invoked by those who blacken the interference in their internal affairs, by imperialism Democratic Republic of Afghanistan to justify their and international reaction, interference which seeks own interference in the internal affairs of that to draw them into the "world crusade against com- country. munism" and exacerbates international tension, 197. First of all, there is the alleged "armed Soviet" from which only the arms race benefits. intervention. The representative of Afghanistan on 204. We might well ask why certain countries carp numerous occasions has already explained to us the so much at the Soviet presence in Afghanistan- situation in his country which culminated in the which was requested by the Government of that victory ofthe national democratic revolution in April country for its defence-while they remain silent determinat~o~ by liberating it.selff~oJ;ll the old regi~e ~13.. w.e are also deeply concerned at the wider and establIshmg a J?rogr~ssIve reglm~ of people s ImplIcatIons of the presence of Soviet troops in democracy. Rev~lutIon IS tb:e. handIwork of op- Afghanistan. Deeds, not words, it has been said, must pressed and expl0l~e4peoples; .It ~s nC!t a produc~ tp,at ~e the !1leasure of any country's commitment to c~~ be ~xported. SImIlarly,.SOCIalIsm IS ~ot. a polItIcal mternatIonal peace and security. Five years ago, regIme Imposed from outSIde; but a SOCIalIst country when the Soviet Union made its fateful decision to b:as the in~ernati(:mali~t dut~ to protect.the revolu- embark on this course of action, the impact on the tlOnary gams of ItS fnends If they ask It to do so. overall climate for peace was immediate and damag- 206. Imperialism and international reaction cannot ing. This is a factor that doe~ not dimini~h with the stomach the fact that the victory of the April national pass~ge.of t~e years; ra~her, It helps to remforce tp.e democratic revolution struck a severe blow to their contmumg dIstrust that Impedes progress. The SOVIet policy of expansion and hegemony. That is why they Union has the opportunity in Afghanistan to show by are now carrying out against the Democratic Repub- deeds ~hat it is co~mit~ed to creating a climate lic of Afghanistan and its courageous people increas- conducrve to decreaSIng mternational tension. ingly bloody subversiv~ a~tions, which t.ake the form 214. The Secretary-General's report on the situa- of an u~~eclared war.slmI1~r ~o that ~emg wage~ ~y tion in Afghanistan [A/39/513] clearly expresses the th~ Umi.ed States ImpenalIsts agaInst SandlnIst principal concern of the United Nations in this NIcaragua. context: to end the suffering of the Afghan people. 207. As in Nicaragua, Afghan counter-revolutiona- We deeply appreciate the efforts made by the Secre- ries-trained, financed, equipped and fed by the CIA tary-General and by his Personal Representative, Mr. and by some of its Islamic friends-are attacking Diego Cordovez, to achieve that goal. As the report civilian targets, killing children, women and old observes, this is the only serious effort that is still people, and destroying economic and social projects being made to create the basis for the political carried out by the revolution to improve the people's settlement that we all recognize is necessary. The living conditions. actions of the Afghan people indicate that they will 208. The forces of imperialism and international nev~r capi~ulate to the imposed regime i~ Kapul. The reaction are demanding the immediate withdrawal of Sov.let l!nIon. m"!st know by no~ !hat It. WIll nev€?r the Soviet troops so that they may have a freer hand a9hleve.lts objectIves t~rough a mIlItary VICtOry. It IS in their subversive activities. We do not think that is dlstressmg tha~ these SImple truths should not p.~ve very realistic. In this regard the Government of the been.reflected In greater progress towards a polItIcal Democratic Republic of Afghanistan has said several solutIon. times that those t.roops will be. wit~dr~wn if the 215. The international community has a responsi- undeclared war bemg waged agamst It IS ended. bility to continue to state its views in clear and strong 209. It is for the parties directly concerned to reach terms. The dra~t r~solution before us reaffirms the agreement on this matter. The Lao People's Demo- fundamental pn~clple of the Charter th~t Member cratic Republic supports the constructive efforts of States must refraIn from the use of force In inter a- the Afghan Government to reach a peaceful settle- tioJ?al rt:lations. Most Member States of this Orga..li- ment of its disputes with its neighbours. My delega- zatlOn, lIke New Zealand, are sm~ll countries. Under- tion also commends the efforts of the Secretary- standably, they. a~tach great Importance to that General and his Personal Representative to find a fun~a!Uental p~lnclple of the Charter. W.heJ? one of solution to this problem, and we appeal to the parties us IS.mvaded In .cle~r ~r~ach of t~at pnnclple, the directly concerned to co-operate fully with the Secre- secunty of us all IS dImInIshed;. It IS J?o ~onder that tary-General's Personal Representative and to year after year the o~erwhelmmgmaJonty of Mem- demonstrate greater flexibility and realism. ber States express theIr grave concern at the continu- 210. As for draft resolution A/39/L.ll, given its ing foreign ~rmed intervention in Afgha~istan. :rhe one-sided, unbalanced and unrealistic nature, it is draft resolutIo.n before the Assembly agam provld~s unacceptable to my delegation. For that reason, my that opportUnIty. New Zealand strongly supports It. delegation will vote against it. 21 L Mr. HARLAND (Ne~ Zealand): It is now five years since the armed forces of the Soviet Union entered Afghanistan. Their presence is deeply resent- ed by the Afghan people. Their activit.ies in Afghani- stan continue to cause death and destruction. The damage is not confined to that unhappy country. As a direct consequence of Soviet policy, millions of Afghan people have fled into Pakistan or Iran, where they live for the day they can go home. Afghanistan remains an open sore on the world's body politic. NOTES