Call for withdrawal of foreign troops, political solution in Afghanistan.

Call for Withdrawal of Foreign Troops, Political Solution in Afghanistan

On 23 November, by adopting resolution 38/29, the Assembly called for immediate withdrawal of the foreign troops from Afghanistan and asked all parties concerned to work for the urgent achievement of a political solution and the creation of necessary conditions to enable the Afghan refugees to return home "in safety and honour'.

The Assembly acted by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 20 against (Afghanistan, Angola, Bulgaria, Byelorussian SSR, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Yemen, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Poland, Syrian Arab Republic, Ukrainian SSR, USSR, Viet Nam), with 17 abstentions.

The Assembly also reiterated that the preservation of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and non-aligned character of Afghanistan was essential for a peaceful solution of the problem, and reaffirmed the right of the Afghan people to determine their own form of government and choose their own political and social system.

It also renewed its appeal for international humanitarian relief assistance with a view to alleviating the hardship of Afghan refugees.

Reports

The Assembly reviewed a report of the Secretary-General (document A/38/449-S/16005) which states that he had continued his efforts to promote a political solution through negotiations. From 21 January to 7 February 1983, his Personal Representative, Diego Cordovez, Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, had had detailed consultations in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran on four items previously identified for consideration--withdrawal of foreign troops, non-interference and non-intervention, international guarantees and voluntary return of refugees.

During those consultations, the report states, it had been possible to widen the understandings reached during discussions held in Geneva in June 1982 and to reach additional understandings on the nature and operation of a "policy mechanism' that would be articulated in the comprehensive settlement and on the kind of provisions required to ensure its effective implementation. It was also agreed that a second round of discussions would be held on the same basis as that for the April 1983 talks.

In March 1983, the Secretary-General reports, he had exchanged views on the situation with President Y.V. Andropov and Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko in the Soviet Union. The Soviet Government strongly favoured a political settlement and categorically supported the continuation of his efforts, the Secretary-General said.

Shah Mohammad Dost, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, and Sahabazada Yuqub-khan, Foreign Minister of Pakistan, were present at the second round of discussions, held in Geneva from 11 to 22 April and from 12 to 24 June 1983 through the intermediary of Mr. Cordovez. Iran had been kept informed through its Permanent Representative. Substantial progress had been made in the definition of the contents of the comprehensive settlement, its principles and objectives, the interrelationship of its four components, and provisions including time-frames for its implementation. It had not been possible, however, to bridge differences of attitude and position regarding a number of issues, including some crucial ones, which had been left in abeyance, the report states.

It was agreed that preparations for arrangements aimed at ascertaining the voluntary and unimpeded character of the refugees' return should begin without delay. Consultations were accordingly held throughout the summer with the UNHCR with a view to submitting specific proposals.

Valuable and indispensable work had been accomplished, which had gone a long way towards achieving a fair and lasting political solution, the Secretary-General concludes. That had proved possible, in the main, because all concerned had remained firmly determined to work in good faith in the progressive development of a comprehensive settlement which would effectively resolve all the issues involved.

The Secretary-General said he was deeply concerned at the slow pace of the negotiations and the difficulties encountered in overcoming obstacles. He noted that if those negotiations succeeded, all Afghans would be able to decide their future in peace, and the foundations would have been laid for mutual understanding and co-operation among the States in the area. He felt the diplomatic process was moving in the right direction, and a settlement was possible on the basis of what had already been accomplished, provided that the necessary policy decisions were made.

Debate

The majority of the 53 speakers who participated in the debate called for the immediate, total and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan. Some speakers said that a time-frame for a withdrawal was a crucial element for any viable agreement.

A number of speakers said the Afghan refugees must be allowed to return to their homeland and the Afghan people must be allowed to exercise their right of...