A/39/PV.63 General Assembly

The situation in and around Afghanistan has been engaging the attention of the General Assembly for more than five years now. Polemical debates on this item have proved to be counter-productive and have not so far resulted ic concrete action towards finding a comprehensive political solution to the problem. Numerous resolu- tions on the subject conceived in the same spirit have been adopted both in the General Assembly and elsewhere, with equally negative results. 2. To us in India, the situation in our neighbour- hood has been a matter of particular anxiety. We have special reason to be concerned as we are vitally interested in the security, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of this friendly, non-aligned neighbour. The friendship between our two peoples has its root in history, in geopolitics, in culture and in commerce. Our concern about the developments affecting Afghanistan and the region as a whole originates in the fact that our own security and national interests are vitally affected by develop- ments that impinge on the security of our neighbours in the sub-continent. We are apprehensive that the existing situation could generate reaction and serve as a pretext for those who wish to create further instability in the area. The continuation of this situation could also lead to attrition of the economic resources of the countries of the region-a develop- ment which none of them could possibly afford or welcome. 3. The Government of India has repeatedly stated that it is uncompromisingly opposed to the presence of foreign troops on any soil. For that matter, we do not-nor can we-approve of any other type of interference in any country. The people of Afghani- stan are the inheritors of an ancient civilization which has made courage and self-respect the hall- mark of Afghan nationalism. The. Afghan people should be left to themselves to pursue the path of progress suited to their own genius so that they can contribute effectively to the security and prosperity of their country and the region as a whole. 4. In regard to this situation, India's voice has been raised consistently in favour of moderation. We have persistently stressed the need to prevent escalation of Thursday, 15 November 1984, at 10.45 a.m. NEW YORK tensions in South-West Asia and to take all possible action to defuse them. We will achieve nothing by engaging in polemics or by sitting in judgement. What VIe urgently need to do is to work for the evolution of a political solution based on a dialogue between the parties directly involved, whose co-oper- ation is essential to prevent the situation from escalating any further. Such an approach should look towards an eventual settlement taking into account all factors relevant to the present situation. Above all, such a political solution should be based on certain commonly acceptable elements, of which the most important are the complete cessation of all interfer- ence and intervention in the internal affairs ofStates, opposition to the presence of foreign troops in any country and the furnishing of reliable and complete guarantees against all forms of interference. S. At the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi from 7 to 12 Idarch 1983, the participants noted with great concern the situation in South-West Asia and agreed that it carried dangerous conse- quences for the peace and stability of the region. They agreed that the continuation of this situation had serious implications for international peace and security. In this context, they viewed the situation in Afghanistan with particular concern. They reiterated the urgent call made by their Ministers for Foreign Affairs in 1981 for a political settlement on the basis of the withdrawal of foreign troops, full respect for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-aligned status of Afghanistan, and strict observance of the principles of non-intervention and non-interference. They urged all concerned to work towards such a settlement, which would ensure that the Afghan people determine their own destiny free from outside interference and would enable the Afghan refugees to return to their homes. 6. The Heads of State or Government of non- aligned countries also expressed their appreciation of the sincere efforts made in search of a political settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, and extended their support to the constructive steps taken in this regard by the Secretary-General. They regard- ed the discussions, through the intermediary of the Secretary-General, as a step in the right direction and urged their continuation with a view to promoting an early political settlement of the problem in conformi- ty with the ideas and principles of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. They called on all States to exercise restraint to avoid further endangering the peace and security of the region, and to take such steps as would lead to the creation of conditions conducive to stable and harmonious relations among the States of the region based on the non-aligned principles of peaceful coexistence, respect for sover- eignty, national independence, territorial integrity, "The non-aligned have always stood for non- interference and non-use of force. The complex situation in Afghanistan can be solved only on the basis of these twin principles. We fully support the Representative of the Secretary-General in work- ing for a solution which takes into consideration the concerns of all the parties involved."1 9. My delegation is pleased to note from the report of the Secretary-General [A/39/513] that he has pursued his efforts, which constitute the only active mechanism of negotiations, towards the achievement of a political settlement. The Secretary-General has stated: "I have consistently felt that the main concern, indeed the principal aim, of the United Nations in this context should be to end the suffering of the Afghan people. "I was accordingly deeply gratified when earlier in the year my interlocutors reiterated their deter- mination to reach a political solution and to expedite the diplomatic process designed to formu- late a comprehensive settlement." [Ibid., paras. 2 and 3.] 10. We commend the efforts of the Secretary-Gen- eral and those of his Personal Representative, Mr. Diego Cordovez, in working out a set of understand- ings with a view to giving an impetus to the diplomatic process aimed at finding a comprehensive settlement. We hope that the "proximity" talks which commenced at Geneva in August 1984 will be fruitful in narrowing down the existing differences which stand in the way of finding a negotiated political settlement. In this context, we note the assessment of the Secretary-General's Personal Rep- resentative that the new format of "proximity" talks would accelerate the process of finding a solution, and that the next round of talks is scheduled to take place in February 1985. 11. We see in the modest ~ljccess registered by the Secretary-General in his efforts towards a political solution a vindication of the approach India has advocated from the very beginning. We trust that all concerned will demonstrate the necessary political will and a sincere disposition to reach through negotiations a ccmprehensive settlement which would lay the foundations for the promotion ofgood- neighbourly relations and co-operation among the States in the area and for strengthening international peace and security in the region. 12. Against this background, we would have expect- ed that this year the sponsors of draft resolution A/39/L.l1 would be more innovative and construc- tive. Much to our disappointment, the draft resolu- tion is along the lines of that adopted last year. The sponsors have chosen to emphasize, as in previous years, only one aspect of the comprehensive solution, while ignoring others which are equally important c~u!1try, has gIven the.world .chlllmg eVlde~ce of.the the misery of the millions who have been uprooted. ~IllIngness of t1?-e SovIet Unl,on to pursu~ ItS ~~Jec- To this end the Netherlands has contributed through tIves by a massIve and sustaIned use of ItS mIlItary the UNHCR, the ICRC and other international and power. non-governmental organizations 8.5 million ~uilders 22. For the people of Afghanistan, the Soviet for humanitarian aid to the affiicted. For thIS enor- invasion of their country has been a disaster of mous humanitarian problem to be solved, the refu- unprecedented proportions. But the implications of gees must be enabled to return to their homes. They the occupation and the ruthless efforts of the Soviet can do so in security and dignity only in the Union to crush the courageous resistance of the framework ofa comprehensive political settlement in Afghan people reach far beyond the borders of accordance with the provisions of the resolutions of Afghanistan. They constitute a clear threat to the the United Nations, in particular the withdrawal of peace and stability of the entire region, as is evident all Soviet troops. from t~e in~rea~ingly frequent a!1d ~eri,?us vi~lations 28. As one of the member States of the European of PakIstan s aIrspace and terntonal mtegnty. Community, the Netherlands has consistently joined 23. This is also the sixth time that the international its partners in supporting the efforts of the United community will be demonstrating its rejection of the Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference Soviet Union's massive armed intervention in Af- and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries to ghanistan by giving its overwhelming support to a bring about a solution based on the principles set out resolution embodying the principal elements that in United Nations resolutions. In this context, the must underly a negotiated settlement ofthe question. Netherlands Government believes that the European This draft resolution remains the only possible Council proposals of 30 June 1981 for the convening framework for a resolution, and the lack of progress of a two-stage conference to work out arrangements in its implementation is a source of deep concern to for a political solution to the problems of Afghani- my Government. stan have lost none of their relevance. While these 24. The Netherlands Government will continue to various initiatives represent different, eq~ally va!id condemn the Soviet Union's use of its military might approaches to ~he.problem, ~hey are all deSIgned WIth to impose a regime of its making on the people of a a. common obJectIve: th~ WIthdrawal of the occupa- small, non-aligned, neighbouring State. We shall also tIon forces, now.numbenng m~re t~an l<>q,OOO ~en, remain firm in our conviction that tan~ible signs are and the restoratIOn ~f Afghamstan s genumely mde- needed of the Soviet Union's genume desire to pendent and non-alIgned status. achieve a settlement in conformity with United 29. The Netherlands fully endorses the continuing O:.~:~~~~_d~ e~m~ilieS~re~~~M~md~~=n~ IS.t~I! by a gr~at Power h.avmg speCIal w,?~ld respons!- tion ofAfghan society. Hunger and starvation threat- ~Iht~es c,?nstItutes a m~Jor facto~ of polItIcal d~stabl- en many parts of Afghanistan. About 4 million lIzatl9n In cen~ral As~a. ~or SIX .years no~ It has Afghan refugees have fled their country and perhaps c~ntnb~ted to ll~creasmg mtel!1atlO~al tenslo~ an.d as many as 2 million Afghans are displaced within glv~n flse to a chmate of growl~g m~strust, whl~h IS Afghanistan itself. The international community has mamly to blam~ for the detenoratlOn of relatIons clearly demonstrated its support for the refugees. between.the maJo~ Po~ers. But, eve!1 beyond th~se However, in the long run a peaceful settlement of the very se!~ous c~nslderat.lOns~ the basIc. fact .re~ams conflict is the only acceptable solution. The with- that mIlItary mterv~ntI,?n m Afghan..st~n m Itself drawal of all foreign troops and the restoration of represents a clear VIOlatIon.of. the prmclp~es 9f t~e Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity and Cha.rte~. Whate~er reason IS mvoked to JustIfy It, political independence are the prerequisites for any S.ovlet mterventl(~n undpubtedly represents a 'y1O!a- just and lasting solution of the tragic situation ~Ion of the sovereIgnty, mdependence an~ te~ntonal confronting the Afghan people. mtegnty of a Member State of the OrgamzatIon. We 41 Th d . t f h S . t '1' condemn such action. . . . e a v~rse Im'pac 0 t e oVle m! Itary . .. . mvaslOn on mternatIonal peace and secunty IS 34: PublIc opmlon IS. ~eeply shocl~f:d by the ha.rd- clearly visible. Recently, armed incidents in Afghani- shIp caused by .the mllIt~ry repre~slOn, devastatI0!1 stan along its border with Pakistan have led to ~md plunder ta.kmg place m Afghamstan. Howeve!, It increased tension in the area. We strcngly urge all I~ even more Im~ressed by the courage, dete.rmma- parties concerned to show restraint in order to avoid tIon and self-sacnfice of those who are fightmg for further escalation of the conflict. the cause of liberty. 42. The Norwegian Government has paid close 35. We continue to look with confidence to the attention to the constructive efforts undertaken by Secretary-General's good offices. In this context, the Secretary-General and his Personal Representa- there is no doubt that readiness to find a solution to tive with the aim of promoting a peaceful solution on the Af~an question would greatly contribute to the basis of the resolutions of the Assembly and the rekindlIng the hope ofdetente and would help restore principles of the Charter. We are pleased to note that obligati~ns under the Ch~rter-obligations ~en­ tioned In the draft resolution before us-regIonal stability will remain imperilled and the rule of law in the international community obstructed. 52. My country expresses its solidarity with the Afghan people, which is struggling for its right to an independent and sovereign homeland. We also ex- press our support for Pakistan, which has offered refuge to those per~ecuted and has been a victim of constant acts of harassment by the authorities im- posed by the Soviet Union on the territory of Afghanistan. 53. My delegation has attentively studied the report of the Secretary-General. We commend the diplo- matic process begun by the Secretary-General with the assistance of his Personal Representative, Mr. Diego Cordovez, and support the continuation of the constructive efforts and measures that he has under- taken in the search for a political solution of the problem. 54. Vie hope that the recognized impartiality and diligence shown by the Secretary-General will bear fruit and thus alleviate the tragic situation of the Afghan people. None the less, it must be acknow- ledged that the effects ofSoviet aggression extend far beyond the field of bilateral relations between the occupying Power and the Afghan people. Indeed, this crisis has a very special effect on the entire region, whose stability has been threatened, and on the rest of the international community which observes with concern how a big Power unhesitatingly crushes by force a non-aligned country if its interests so require. 55. The Charter totally prohibits the use of force as an instrument offoreign policy. To maintain peace, a system of collective security. has been established which assigns special responSIbilities lmd ri$hts to the members of the Security Council. The actI~n of the Soviet Union negates the very premises on which effective work by the United Nations system for the maintenance of international peace and security depend. This negative phenomenon tends to draw international relations away from the respect and co- operation established by tlte Charter and brings us closer to chaos and anarchy. For countries such as ours, which are small and medium-sized and base their security fundamentally on the rule of law and on the moral credibility of international organiza- tions, the Soviet aggression is particularly serious because of its consequences and future scope. 56. My country once again has sponsored the draft resolution on the item before us. We have done so in the conviction that the immedi~te and unconditional withdrawal ofthe occupying troops, the realization of the right of the Afghan refugees voluntarily to return to their homes and the right of that people to self- ~,;socI.ated WIth thIS I~age. The greatest 4anger IS century, it is now our duty to support the struggle that. ~t may lull us mto complacency, Into. not against recolonization. We should not allow the reah~mg how much the Afghan pe~ple are sufferIng. I Afghans to struggle alone. Our positive votes for the do sIncerely fear that the world. IS not really awa~e resolution on Afghanistan will be an important that th~ more desperate the SOVIets hav~ become m expression. of our solidarity with the Afghan people's Afghams~an, the more brutal haye theIr measures struggle to regain its independence. been agamst the Afghan populatIon. 95. We in the international community should also 91. Recently, for example, we have heard many urge the Soviet Union to learn the lessons of history. disturbing reports that the Soviet Union has now The era of colonization is over. Recolonization will- decided that any Afghan village not under its control not work today. Indeed, we have seen some evidence is deemed to be enemy territory, even when there are that indicates that some Soviet leaders are aware that no reports of resistance activities in that village. the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a political Hence, using its superior fire power, the Soviet mistake following a military miscalculation. The Union is destroying hundreds of villages, depriving Soviet leadership was ill advised by its generals. They innocent populations of their homes and lands. had not realized that their invasion and occupation Haying failed to d~mpen !he f)ghting spirit ~f the of Afghanistan would take so many years. reSIstance, the SovIet U!1I~!1 IS now ~esortmg to 96. It has been, for the Soviet Union, a costly wholesale terror of the clvlhan populatIOn. mistake. First, it has been costly to the morale of the 92. At the same time, in another recent develop- Red Army. We have seen Soviet soldiers defecting to ment, Soviet military forces deployed against the the ranks of the mujahidin because of their unwill- Afghan freedom fighters have increased. A report in ingness to fight an unjust war. Secondly, the war in The New York Times two weeks ago revealed that the Afghanistan has been costly to the Soviet Union in Soviet Union's military involvement has grown economic terms. Thirdly, it has been costly by significantly in the last six months. In addition to the damaging the relations between the Soviet Union 115,000 Soviet soldiers and airmen now stationed in and the non-aligned countries, to which the Soviet Afghanistan, another 50,000 Soviet airborne troops Union has historically attached great importance. have been deployed just north of the Afghan frontier. The overwhelming majority of the non-aligned coun- Since the Soviets have realized that their troops tries have condemned the Soviet intervention in cannot be safely encamped in Afghanistan, they are Afghanistan and supported the United Nations reso- stationed in the Soviet Union and flown into Afghan- lutions on Afghanistan. Fourthly, it has been costly to ~~~~sare:~~t~~ t~~v:un~n~~~:~fuilie~~kOO~ i~g~ .and even so~e high-level bombin.g. Afghan government and to choose its own economic, politi- clvlha.n.s face a gnm f~tu~e..By. bombIng farms, cal and .social sys~em free from outside intervention, de~~te on the It~m, had.receIved a lette,r from t~e on the territories of the two countries. This sacred Mlmster for ForeIgn Affairs of th~ People s RepublIc common struggle and the disinterested assistance of of Kampuchea, Mr. Hun Sen, whIch was subsequent- Viet Nam is something the two peoples Vietnamese ly circulated in document A/39/595, ~ontaining a and Kampuchean, are proud of, and we'have repeat- formal protest from t~e People'~ ~epubhc ofKaml?u- edly proclaimed the justice of this struggle in various chea, the sole authentIc and leglt.lmate repres~ntatlve bodies of the United Nations and other international of the J.<,ampuche.an peop~e, agamst th~ ho~dm~ of.a meetings. We have no fear in doing so and we are not debate In the .Um~ed NatIons on the situatIon m hiS trying to conceal it. Indeed, we should like to country and m hIS absence. proclaim it to the world, because we have right on 166. So it was in strict respect for the formally our side. Only the Pol Pot criminals and their expressed will of the People's Republic of Kampu- supporters have something to fear by having light chea, categorically opposed to the debate on Kampu- shed on their shameful activities of subversion in chea, that the two delegations of Viet Nam and Laos undermining the people of Kampuchea, something decided not to speak in the debate. But we made a they would like to do in obscurity. point of being present-.~nd.I ~ould lik~ to stress 173. I do not wish to open up a polemic with the that-and pr?perly p~rtlclpatmg m the votmg on the representative of the United Kingdom on the ques- draft resolutIOn relatmg thereto. tion of who has rights and who does not have rights 167. The representative of the Lao People's Demo- in this important matter. Undoubtedly, the guilty cratic Republic has already spoken and clearly ex- criminals responsible for the tragic loss of more than plained this common stand on the part of our 3 million Kampucheans, victims of massacre, and delegations at the meeting on 29 October 1984. It is those who continue to support them do not have highly regrettable, therefore, that there can still right on their side. Polemic on this subject with the persist some misunderstandings, particularly because representative of the United Kingdom would be we took great care to inform certain colleagues in the entirely sterile because ultimately it is the Kampu- Association of South-East Asian Nations [ASEAN] chean people, the martyred people of that country, and to explain to them the reasons for our position who will have the decisive say in this matter, and it is well in advance. up to history to pronounce its ultimate verdict. 168. After all this, it is infinitely regrettable that 174 In conclusion whether the iI'sinuators and insinuations, indeed tendentious ~llegations, should pro~okers like it or ~ot, the delegation of Viet Nam subseque~tly have b~en proffered m .the statement of would simply like, in all humility and sincerity, to a delegatIon belongm~ to ~SE~N, In the course of reassure its true friends throughout the world that it the .deba~e on the SituatIon ID Kampuchea, and has no fear in taking part in any debate here or pe~slsted ID the ~tatem~nt yesterday of th~ rep~esen- anywhere else, because the legitimate right to indi- tatIve of the Umted KIDgdo~ [6!st ~eetmg] I~ the vidual and collective self-defence of the two peoples course of the debate on the SItuatIOn In Afghamstan. of Kampuchea and Viet Nam is guaranteed by the 169. I must say straight away to the people making Charter of the United Nations. With regard to the these insinuations that we were not afraid to take assistance which the Vietnamese people is giving to part in the debate on Kampuchea. The Vietnamese the people of Kampuchea, it is being given in order people is le~itimately proud of the justice of its cause to save that people effectively from the re-imposition in s.ending ItS volunteers to Kampuchea, in January of the genocidal Pol Pot regime. We have no fear of 1979, to help the people of Kampuchea, which had joining in any debate because our people over the last already suffered the massacre of more than 3 million decades has carried high the torch of truth and is ofits citizens in the course ofthe reign ofthe Pol Pot continuing to carry it higher than ever before. Sooner lI~tern.al affaIrS of our sovereIgn co~ntry an~ a gross Afghanistan which brought forward its statements of VIolatIon of the Ch~rter of the Umt~d NatIOns, 'Yas 15 May 19802 and 24 August 19813 proposing a to preve.nt the ~neJ;lllesofour rC?vol.utIon fr~m gettmg political settlement of the situation around Afghani- away WIth theIr lIes and fabn~atIOn~. It IS for the stan. These initiatives of my Government provided same purpose that my delegatIOn WIshes to speak. the base for talks to begin, and we believe that they 178. By emphasizing several times that the present provide a good basis for their continuation and for situation in South-West Asia dates back to 27 reaching mutually acceptable agreements. However, December 1979, the delegation of Pakistan made the format that the other side has imposed upon the another futile attempt to completely sweep under the talks and its refusal to hold direct negotiations have rug the fact regarding the existence of an imperialist slowed down the pace of progress achieved during and reactionary undeclared war before the request of the talks. We believe that direct negotiations are the the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan for military most effective and least time-consuming way of assistance from the Soviet Union. In this connection, finding a political settlement for the situation created allow me to ask the representative ofPakistan a frank around Afghanistan. They are also the best test of question. Does he remember that in July 1979, that one's sincerity. is, six months before the arrival ofSoviet contingents. . in Afghanistan, an Afghan delegation visited Islama- 184. Durmg the talks th~ ~C?legatIOn of my country bad? Does he remember the purpose of that visit? Is has s~own necessary fleXIbIlIty, both on procedural it not true that the only subject discussed, both at the q~estIOn~ and. on the substance ~f the ~alks. Let me Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with Gen- reIterate m thIS forum that. we WIll contmue to make eral Zia-ul-Haq himself, was the intervention and every.effort to,",:ards reachmg a mu~u~lly acceptable interference from the territory of Pakistan in the and Just solutIon, thro~gh negotIatIons, for the internal affairs of Afghanistan? problems around Afghamstan. 179. The fact is that the only purpose of the visit of 185. The very nature of the negotiation process the Afghan delegation to Islamabad was to warn the under way between the Democratic Republic of Government of Pakistan of the consequences of the Afghanistan and Pakistan, through the intermediary continuation of interference in the internal affairs of of Mr. Diego Cordovez, the Personal Representative our country. During those talks, however, the Afghan of the Secretary-General, requires a certain degree of delegation was told that the protection of Afghani- confidentiality. It is regrettable that the other side stan's frontiers was not the responsibility of Afghani- chose for propaganda purposes to touch on some of stan's neighbours, and that internal factors in their the matters that should be discussed at the negotiat- country would not permit them to take any decisive ing table alone. We were determined to keep the action that could effectively stop the use of the substance of the talks confidential, as agreed by both territory of Pakistan by counter-revolutionary bands. sides. However, the record must be put straight. During the same visit, Afghanistan was invited to Therefore, let me point out that the attempts made to take whatever measures it deemed appropriate to portray the Geneva talks to this meeting as being safeguard its frontiers. centered on subjects other than the cessation of 180. The delegation of Pakistan may deliberately armed and other forms of interference are contr~ryto choose to forget, but the hard fact is there. Therefore, f~cts, to s.ay the least. SU~h.attempts to give a their further attempts to put the effect before the d.lstorted pIct~re o~the negotIatIOn~cast .a shadow of cause are too obvious not to be recognized for what ooubt on the smcentx ofthe other SIde WIth regard to they are. The fact is that it is not Pakistan which is the process of negotiatIOns. threatened, but its neighbourin~ countries. ~o threat 186. The said delegation also chose to speak at has ever.been posed by Afghanistan to Pakistan and length on the so-called Afghan refugees. On several never WIll be. occasions. in this forum and elsewhere, we have 181. Reference was also made to the freedom and proved, on the basis of independent studies which honour of the people of Afghanistan. As our neigh- include those by United Nations sources, that the bour, the same delegation must be aware that the number of such so-called refugees had been grossly valorous people of Afghanistan, who are well known exaggerated. The greater part of those so-called all over the world for their patriotism and love of refugees are, in fact, nomads who have been forceful- freedom, have always defended with heroism and ly registered. Double registration, the registration of sacrifice their freedom and honour. What the delega- local population, falsification, and keeping on the list tion of Pakistan said amounts to an insult to the the names of those who have already returned home NOTES