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Soviets Pledge Continued Aid to Afghan Leaders
AP
Published: January 15, 1989
Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze, visiting Kabul, pledged continued ''all-around assistance'' to Afghanistan's beleaguered Government, the Soviet press agency Tass said today.
The agency's report on the talks Friday between the Soviet Foreign Minister and President Najibullah of Afghanistan appeared to indicate that the Afghan Government will continue to receive Soviet military aid, even after all Soviet troops leave the country.
Mr. Shevardnadze visited Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, as Moscow, continuing to work for a political solution, withdraws its remaining 50,000 Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan.
Soviet diplomats have hinted that its army might not complete the withdrawal by the Feb. 15 deadline set in the accords signed in Geneva last April.
But Western diplomats say the departure of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, which was halted during the fall, has resumed.
The Soviet Union tried but failed to involve guerrillas fighting the Afghan Government in peace talks with Government representatives. Rebel leaders say Moscow only wanted to secure a place for Afghan Marxists in a new Afghan government. Mr. Shevardnadze renewed the call for peace talks during his discussions with Mr. Najibullah, but also clearly aligned himself with the Afghan Government, the report from Tass indicated.
AP
Published: January 15, 1989
Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze, visiting Kabul, pledged continued ''all-around assistance'' to Afghanistan's beleaguered Government, the Soviet press agency Tass said today.
The agency's report on the talks Friday between the Soviet Foreign Minister and President Najibullah of Afghanistan appeared to indicate that the Afghan Government will continue to receive Soviet military aid, even after all Soviet troops leave the country.
Mr. Shevardnadze visited Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, as Moscow, continuing to work for a political solution, withdraws its remaining 50,000 Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan.
Soviet diplomats have hinted that its army might not complete the withdrawal by the Feb. 15 deadline set in the accords signed in Geneva last April.
But Western diplomats say the departure of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, which was halted during the fall, has resumed.
The Soviet Union tried but failed to involve guerrillas fighting the Afghan Government in peace talks with Government representatives. Rebel leaders say Moscow only wanted to secure a place for Afghan Marxists in a new Afghan government. Mr. Shevardnadze renewed the call for peace talks during his discussions with Mr. Najibullah, but also clearly aligned himself with the Afghan Government, the report from Tass indicated.