DETENTE HOPES HINGE ON AFGHANS' FREEDOM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000201660003-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 17, 2012
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: July 19, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

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WASHINGTON TIMES
19 July 1985
Detente hopes hinge
on Afghans' freedom
By Dave Doubrava
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The Soviet Union's withdrawal of
all its forces from Afghanistan could
serve as the "cornerstone" of a new
relationship between the superpow-
ers and nations of eastern Asia, the
foreign minister of Pakistan said
yesterday.
Sahabzada Yaqub Khan said he
believes that the situation in Afghan-
istan, occupied by the Soviet Union
since 1979. holds "an importance out
of proportion" to its size and location
and that a Soviet withdrawal could
bring about a thaw in both East-West
and Sino-Soviet relations.
"We think, we hope, that one area
in which a start could be made to ...
thaw East-West relations and also
Sino-Soviet relations could be a
movement in Afghanistan,' Mr.
Yaqub Khan told reporters and edi-
tors at a luncheon at The Washington
Times.
He noted that the United States,
China and all Western European
nations have insisted on the Soviet
withdrawal from Afghanistan as a
primary condition for normalization
of relations.
A move in that direction, he said,
would signal that the Soviet Union is
"sincere and that normalization can
he undertaken in full measure."
He noted that while the possibility
that the Soviets might leave Afghan-
istan in the near future is small,
"even if there is a small percentage
of chance of a peaceful settlement,
it should he tried."
He said Pakistan, which shelters
approximately 3 million Afghan ref-
ugees, considers the total and com-
plete Soviet pullout from
Afghanistan the only solution to the
refugee problem and that there is no
military solution to the Afghan
situation.
He said the guerrillas fighting the
combined Soviet and Afghan armies
"can't expect to expel" the Soviet
forces but can make it very expen-
sive and make them pay for their
invasion..
Mr. Ya ub Khan also said the
recent defection to Pakistan o seven
Afghan crewmen in two
Soviet M i-_ _ Hind - attack e i-
co ters demonstrates that the
Soviet-hacked regime of a ra
Karmal "does not enjoy the support
of thearme orceso g ants
He called the defection an t e
dwindling o the Afghan armed
forces from 80,000 to 30.000 mem-
bers over the past two years "elegant
testimony that the regime does not
enjoy any support from its military
and that "the bulk of the people are
struggling against foreign troops
and the regime..
He also said the Pakistani govern-
ment was "astounded" at the arrest
on spy charges this week o two -
Paki-stanis employed at the embassy in
Kabul, apparently in an attempt to
pressure the government to return
to Afghanistan the two helicopters
and t eir crews.
He said Pakistan "rejects alto-
et er oviet Charges the two men
were spies and said his government
wou not be intimidated" or res
sure y t e arrests.
Mr. aqu an declined to say
whether Pakistan would return the
helicopters or crews, or whether
American military experts would be
allowed to inspect the Mi-24s. con-
sidered one of the world's most
lethal aircraft.
He noted, however, that in the past
aircraft used to defect from Afghan-
istan to Pakistan were returned to
the government in Kabul.
The Mi-24 is a large, heavily
armored helicopter that has proved
to be one of the Soviet Union's most
useful weapons in the war against
Afghan guerrillas. The helicopter is
armed with four laser-guided anti-
tank missiles, 150 air-to-around high
explosive rockets, cannons and
heavy machine guns.
The two helicopters are the first
to fall into the hands of a U.S.-allied
nation.
The United States is Pakistan's
main supplier of weapons and mili-
tary aid and has committed $3.2 bil-
lion in military and economic aid to
Islamabad over a five-year period.
Earlier this week the administra-
tion agreed to expedite the shipment
of 100 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
and an unspecified number of
surface-to-air Stinger missiles to
Pakistan to strengthen its air
defenses against increasing Soviet
and Afghan air incursions over Paki-
stani territory.
The foreign minister called
India's past criticism of the
American-Pakistani military agree-
ments "a double standard," noting
that India has extensive arms deal-
ings with the Soviet Union.
He also said Indian Prime Min-
ister Rajiv Gandhi's criticism of
American-Pakistani relations dur-
ing a state visit here last month was
an attempt "to drive a wedge
between the United State and Paki-
stan"
"It's surprising that they should
make good relations with the
United States] contingent on eroded
relations with Pakistan:' he said.
Mr. Yaqub Khan is scheduled to
meet tomorrow with Secretary of
State George P. Shultz but declined
to say what matters he expects to
discuss with Mr. Shultz. -.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/17: CIA-RDP90-00965R000201660003-7