SOVIET USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN DRA DENIED

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 29, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 23, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

~'S Approved For Release 2010/10/29: CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5
._._ ? ?
III. 24F~~ US SR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS D1
SOUTH ASIA
SOVIET USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN DRA DENIED
LD2322O9 Moscow TASS in English 2113 GMT 23 Feb 84
[Text] Kabul February 23 TASS -- The newspaper HAQIQAT-E ENQELAB SAWR reports that
recently armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan captured two letters-
instructions to rebel gangs which were sent by the rebel organizations Jam'iat-e
Eslami Afghanistan and "Hezb-e Eslami". The newspaper writes that these documents
provide yet another proof that it is the U.S. imperialism which masterminds the aggres-
sion against revolutionary Afghanistan.
Activities of counter-revolution against our country, the newspaper points out, are
directed from one centre -- the CIA headquarters in Langley, and rebel leaders are
puppets who are acting on Washington's instruction.
The content of the captured letters, the article stresses, shows that a perfidious
fraud about imaginary use of chemical weapons by Soviet troops in Afghanistan is being
prepared. The provocation is being prepared according to the following scheme: The
United States makes toxic agents, bandits use them and falsely accuse Soviet troops
of doing that.
There is nothing new in that myth, writes the newspaper HAQIQAT-E ENQELAB SAWR. That
myth was invented eight years ago with regard to Southeast .Asia. Declarations on'
imaginary use of chemical weapons by Soviet troops are a component part of
psychological warfare and false propaganda conducted by Washington against the April
revolution. Even the head of the White House Reagan joined in the campaign of
accusing Soviet troops of using chemical weapons in Afghanistan, when he received
Afghan counter-revolutionaries.
Frenchman Philippe Augayard, who was arrested by security man in the Democratic
Republic of Afghanistan, the newspaper recalls, said: "In the West they believe that
chemical weapons were used in Afghanistan three times. To find that out I visited the
supposed areas in October and November 1982. I talked with residents but I could not
find any confirmation of the use of chemical weapons there."
While the Reagan administration creates the myth of Soviet chemical weapons in
Afghanistan and deceives the world public opinion, the U.S. imperialism in violation
of all international conventions has itself used sevEral times chemical weapons
against the Afghan people. Grenades, stuffed with toxic "CS-517" agents, were
confiscated from counter-revolutionaries in the Herat Province about three years ago,
the newspaper recalls. American anti-tank chemical 83 mm "PTK" mines and bottles
with tear gas M-12 were confiscated from bandits in the Ghazni Province last year.
Rebels poisoned water in a female school two years ago.
These are only some facts which the Western press cannot deny, but these facts
strike a crushing blow on imperialism's false propaganda.
Spreading such an impudent lie, the United States itself allocated 10,000 million
dollars for the programme of expanding the production of chemical and biological
weapons. Why does not Washington stop the propaganda campaign against the Soviet
Union? The answer is very simple: U.S. imperialism needs an atmosphere that
would prevent relaxation of tension in international relations, but the people
cannot be infinitely deceived.
Approved For Release 2010/10/29: CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5
 Approved For Release 2010/10/29: CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5
? -
III. 24 Feb 84 D 2 USSR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
SOUTH ASIA
SOVIET SOLDIER IN DRA CRITICIZES CIVILIAN PEERS
PM131450 Moscow KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA in Russian 10 Feb 84 p 4
-~....~
["Letter Home" from Guards Sergeant Viktor Yankin under the rubric "Place of Duty --
Afghanistan" -- Last paragraph is editorial note]
[Text] Greetings, esteemed KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA editorial board!
Let me introduce myself -- Viktor Nikolayevich Yankin, at present a sergeant in the
Soviet Army, serving in the limited contingent of Soviet forces in the DRA and,
together with my comrades, fulfilling my internationalist duty. I am a regular reader
of KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA -- I have been a Komsomol member since 1978 -- and other news-
papers. Frankly speaking, I am amazed at how little is written about Afghanistan and
the Soviet people who are honorably fulfilling their duty, quite often risking their
own lives for the sake of the Afghan people's bright future.
And so I am writing this letter in the hope that you will publish it in your newspaper
so that the Soviet people, and young people in particular, can gain abetter impression
of how we live and serve here, so that they may understand the meaning of true friend-
ship, loyalty, and heroism.
First about my comrades-in-arms, those with whom you share all the hardships and
privations of service abroad. They are not boys who, before joining the Army, thought
of nothing else but how to dress well, in "brand-name" clothes, make an appearance at
discotheques, and score an instant hit with all the girls. They are not boys who
go wild through lack of parental supervision. They are not boys who, with the help
of dads and moms who are chiefs and manageresses and with no special efforts, enroll
in institutes and lead a comfortable life far beyond the means of stipends.
My comrades know the value of labor and understand the degree of their responsibility
for the motherland. Having served 18 months and more in the Army, they have become
brave, tempered, united soldiers.
Here the atmosphere itself precludes quarrels and manifestations of individualism or
toadying. We are a united and cohesive collective, tested in numerous actions and
living by the principle "one for all and all for one."
My friend Yevgeniy Korneyev has been awarded the Order of the Red Star for bravery and
heroism in giving international assistance. And T am writing in the knowledge that
had anyone else from among us been in his place, there would have been no hesitation
even in the face of death. And no matter how much we may wish to live and enjoy good
health, no matter how much this may be needed and necessary, as in my case for
example (my mother died 6 months ago leaving my father alone with my two younger
sisters), I would never even consider sacrificing public interests or my duty to the
motherland for my own personal interests.
At times we hear that at home in the Soviet Union some people are dissatisfied with
life, complain that some things are in short supply, and blame anyone but themselves.
You see, just the fact that our people live under peaceful skies which do not rain
mines, bombs, and shells is a reason to be pleased with life.
Approved For Release 2010/10/29: CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5
 Approved For Release 2010/10/29: CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5
III. 24 Feb 84 D 3 USSR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
SOUTH ASIA
Appreciate this, and always remember that while you are studying, working, reading, or
resting, someone is guarding you and the whole country.
The girlfriend of a comrade of ours wrote the following irresponsible lines in a letter:
"Whenever I see a soldier I immediately start feeling bad." Of course, these words are a
downright insult to me and to all who are honorably serving in the Army and fulfilling
their international duty on Afghanistan's soil.
In conclusion I would like to address all Soviet families whose sons or husbands are ful-
filling their international duty in Afghanistan: You must know that no matter how diffi-
cult and hard it may be, no matter how depressed and sad we may feel far from home,
Soviet soldiers will never break the glorious traditions of the Army and motherland but
will, on the contrary, devote all their strength and knowledge to helping the Afghan
people build their bright future.
We always remember and love you!
Guards Sergeant Viktor Yanking
We are confident that many of our readers would like to reply to this letter. Do write.
We will send your letters to their destination.
Approved For Release 2010/10/29: CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5
 Approved For Release 2010/10/29: CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5
III. 24 Feb 84 USSR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR S E1
SOUTHEAST ASIA & PACIFIC
VIETNAMESE MEDIA CITE PRC HOSTILE ACTIONS
LD222233 Moscow TASS in English 2040 GMT 22 Feb 84
[Text] Hanoi February 22 TASS -- The newspaper NHAN DAN and QUAN DOI NHAN DAN carry
articles which on the basis of factual material show the history of frontier relations
between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Republic of China. As is
emphasized in these articles, in solution of questions linked with the frontier, the
Vietnamese side has always proceeded. from the sincere desire to develop friendship
between the peoples of the two countries, and strictly observed the accords.
Unfortunately, NHAN DAN stresses, the stand of the Chinese side is absolutely opposite.
China, which demands recognition of the "actually existing frontier," tries to
"rectify" it in its favour, as it took place during the February aggression of 1979.
The Chinese side still continues holding a number of sections of the Vietnamese
territory, including a number of heights. Proceeding from its stand, China seeks
to move the frontier line deep into the Vietnamese territory, by transferring frontier
posts, and unlawfully settling China's residents on Vietnamese territory. In the face
of subversive actions on the northern frontier of Vietnam Vietnamese people and Armed
Forces are waging resolute struggle, remain vigilant.
The Army newspaper QUAN DOI NHAN DAN points out that during five years Peking did not
stop its subversive activity against Vietnam, Laos and Kampuchea, China invests huge
sums of money in establishing abroad network of communications aiming at the Vietnamese
frontier. In the channel of the same expansionist policy Peking is trying to isolate
Vietnam internationally. Peking intimidates ASEAN member countries with the "danger of
Vietnamese expansionism in Southeast Asia."
The Vietnamese people, the newspaper stresses, has always been striving to live in
peace and friendship with the Chinese people. Vietnam put forward many constructive
proposals aimed at ensuring peace and stability in Southeast Asia. Proceeding from that
policy, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam repeatedly proposed to the Chinese side to
have a negotiated settlement of all. issues and to restore friendship between the two
countries, which meets the interests of the Vietnamese and Chinese peoples. But Peking
refuses to accept the proposals and puts forward groundless demands.
In the face of constant threats, the article stresses, the Vietnamese people is
bringing closer its ranks and is consolidating the spirited unity with the peoples of
Laos and Kampuchea. The fair stand of the countries of Indochina remains unchanged,
and plans of subversive activity against them will be an utter failure, in the final
account.
U.S. GROUP IN SRV SEEKS DATA ON U.S. SERVICEMEN
LD231404 Moscow TASS in English 1126 GMT 23 Feb 84
[Text] Hanoi, February 23 TASS -- A U.S. delegation ].ed by Richard Armitage, assistant
secretary of defense, has left here after staying on a visit in the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam from February 19 to 22.
During its stay in Vietnam, a report published in today's newspapers said, the delega-
tion held talks with a Vietnamese delegation led by Hoang Anh Tuan, deputy foreign
minister of the Socialist. Republic of Vietnam. The sides exchanged opinions on ques-
tions concerning a quest for Americans reported "missing inaction" (MIA) during the
war in Vietnam.
Approved For Release 2010/10/29: CIA-RDP96R01136R002605130008-5