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Afghanistan: Turning the Corner
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16293 |
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Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
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| Issue
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3 / 1989 |
4,009 Words |
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Richard S. Williamson
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When the Reagan administration came into office in 1981, the Soviet Union's brutal aggression against Afghanistan seemed unstoppable. Having overrun that small, nonaligned, independent country, Moscow appeared poised to challenge fundamental U.S. interests in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region and in South Asia. The United Nations seemed helpless to contribute to finding peace in this troubled area. Indeed, rather than vigorously pursuing its Charter-prescribed role as peacemaker, the UN's primary attention centered on larger budgets, more personnel, vague political and economic programs, and name-calling resolutions all too often directed at the United States.
Eight years later, a remarkable transformation has occurred--prompted in large part by the firm, strong, and consistent policies of the United States, led by President Reagan and Secretary of State George Shultz and receiving strong bipartisan congressional support. The Soviets are withdrawing their troops from Afghanistan, holding out the prospects of the Afghans again having the right and opportunity to determine their own government and future. U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf are more secure today than they have been in a decade, and the foundation has been laid for greater stability and security in South Asia.
Many people and countries contributed to this remarkable transformation. Far and away the most important were the brave Afghan freedom fighters who refused to be cowed by the military might and technological superiority of the Soviet superpower. Their determination to keep fighting until the invading forces were forced to withdraw stands as testimony and inspiration to those who aspire to and those who support national independence and self-determination. Pakistan, which housed millions of refugees and aided the resistance despite threats, bombing attacks, and terrorism, deserves praise and respect. The United States and other nations provided indispensable support to the resistance.
The United Nations also has played a critical role--and, in so doing has, in many respects, lived up to the expectations of its founders. It served as the facilitator for a settlement--tirelessly promoting mediation and providing the forum to which the parties could turn when the objective conditions on the ground made clear that peace was preferable to continued conflict and bloodshed. With the unwavering backing of Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, Diego Cordovez labored indefatigably and imaginatively, finally mediating a comprehensive plan that represented the first step toward peace--the Geneva Accords of April 1988. While monitoring the implementation of the Geneva Accords, the UN now, under Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, is taking the lead in formulating the international effort to assist more than five million Afghan refuges and approximately one to two million displaced persons to return to their homes and begin rebuilding their war-devastated country.
No one expected the Soviets to be forced out of Afghanistan quickly. Unfortunately, much time, great effort, the loss of countless human lives, and the material destruction of much of the country occurred before Moscow understood the necessity of pulling back its invading forces. In the meantime, it was important that Afghanistan remain at the center of attention of the international public and the community of nations; the tragedy of the invasion could become even greater if world opinion lost sight of the Afghan disaster and the valiant efforts of the Afghan
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