CONFIDENTIAL
ANNEX B
TEXT OF STATEMENT ON AFGHANISTAN MADE BY EUROPEAN COUNCIL
ON 30 JUNE
1.
The European Council notes with deep concern that the situation in Afghanistan remains an important cause of inter- national tension, that Soviet troops remain in Afghanistan and that the sufferings of the Afghan people continue to increase.
2.
The European Council recalls its earlier statements, notably those issued at Venice on 13 June 1980, and Maastricht on 24 March 1981, which stressed the urgent need to bring about a solution which would enable Afghanistan to return to its traditional independent and non-aligned status free from external interference and with the Afghan people having the full capacity to exercise their right to self-determination. In keeping with the Resolutions voted by the United Nations, the Islamic Conference and the New Delhi Conference of the Non- Aligned Movement, the European Council has made it clear on several occasions that it will support any initiative which could lead to the desired result.
3. The European Council considers that the time has come for a fresh attempt to open the way to a political solution to the problem of Afghanistan. They therefore propose that an international conference should be convened as soon as possible, for example in October or November 1981, and that the Conference should consist of two stages, each stage being an integral part of the Conference.
4. The purpose of Stage One would be to work out international arrangements designed to bring about the cessation of external intervention and the establishment of safeguards to prevent such intervention in the future and thus to create conditions in which Afghanistan's independence and non-alignment can be assured.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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