12 Feb 88
FE/0073 C/2
constractive, principled and flexible stand, and the Afghan delegation has come forward at the table of talks with realistic and peace proposals which gave new impetus to the process of the talks. It is not exaggerated to say that the principled and flexible stand taken by the Republic of Afghanistan and its political goodwill in different rounds of Geneva talks has taken out the process of the talks from deadlock and failure.
It quotes the Soviet leader's statement: "The policy of national reconciliation is a reflection of new political thinking on the Afghan side. It is not a sign of weakness, but rather of the force of spirit, wisdom and dignity of the free, honest and responsible political leaders concerned about their country's present and future. Success of the policy of national reconciliation has already made it possible [words indistinct] withdrawing Soviet troops from portions of the Afghan territory."
Now, when the process of Geneva talks is approaching its decisive and final stage, the Republic of Afghanistan acts as in the past from its principled position in the interest of peace and stability in the region and expects from the other side, too, to act reciprocally. The daily writes that Iran must not to be left aside from the process of peaceful settlement of the situation around Afghanistan.
Such a political atmosphere which is shaping in the interest of peace seriously demands from the opponents of the state of Afghanistan to show goodwill land not let the chance for their participation in building of a prosperous and progressive Afghanistan to be missed, the editorial notes.
The people of Afghanistan, who see now the bright horizons of peace before them, will not forget for a moment the great internationalist assistance of the Soviet Union, especially the heroic struggle of the Soviet sons in defence of independence, territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the Republic of Afghanistan, the daily concludes.
AFGHAN RESISTANCE LEADER REJECTS SOVIET TROOP WITHDRAWAL OFFER
PTI in English 0843 gmt 11 Feb 88
Excerpts from report
Golboddin Hekmatyar, leader of the fundamentalist Hezb-e Eslami Afghan rebel group, Wednesday [10th February] struck a jarring note by rejecting the Soviet troops withdrawal offer as a "political and publicity manoeuvre".
Hekmatyar pleaded for direct talks between the rebel groups and Moscow, and warned Pakistan that, if it ignored the question of an acceptable interim government in Kabul, the rebel groups would form one on their own. He objected to the Soviet decision to delink the question of an interim government with the finalisation of the Geneva peace accord between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Hekmatyar's expected hardline stance came as three moderate groups of Afghan rebels began organising rallies amongst the Afghan refugees in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) supporting the UN process and demanding the return of ex-King Zaher Shah to head an interim government in Kabul.
SWB
The leaders of the seven-party Afghan rebel alliance met for eight hours in Islamabad Wednesday [10th February] and issued a statement saying they had agreed on the principle and form of an interim government. They refused to support or oppose, publicly, the troop withdrawal plan announced by the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Diplomatic observers here [Islamabad] feel that the latest Soviet Afghan initiative has put severe pressure on Pakistan as most of its demands have been met. Any foot-dragging at this stage may make Pakistan look like a potential spoiler. Pakistan has already taken a u-turn by advocating a two-track approach at Geneva. Islamabad is seeking to not only link the Soviet withdrawal with an interim government, but also put setting-up of a coalition government in Kabul as an indispensable requirement...
Ironically, Islamabad is now trading position with Moscow, whose earlier insistence on linking the two issues of troop withdrawal and the formation of an interim government was disputed by Pakistan last year.
Press reports here suggest Pakistani officials are not viewing the next Geneva round, beginning 2nd March, as a "signing" one. They would like to use the opportunity to finalise the Geneva instruments and sign them once an acceptable coalition or interim government is in place in Kabul, the reports say.
The scenario painted here is that the four instruments of the peace accord will be finalised at Geneva. It is expected that the UN will then call on the Afghan warring parties to form the interim government.
KESHTMAND AND MAZDAK ADDRESS ASIAN
STUDENTS' SEMINAR
Bakhtar in English (i) 0427, (ii) 0506 and (iii) 0433 gmt 11 Feb 88
Text of reports
(i) The seminar and consultative session of Asian Students' Information Centre on education, development and society was opened here [Kabul] with the participation of representatives and delegations of youths and students from Asia and Africa.
S.A. Keshtmand, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Afghanistan, addressed the seminar's opening session on the convening of the seminar in the Republic of Afghanistan and the role of youths in education, development and society.
Farid Ahmad Mazdak, First Secretary of the DYOA Central Committee, welcomed the arrival of the youths and students of Asia and Europe [as received] to participate in the seminar, and spoke on the significance of the seminar.
Representatives of the International Union of Students, the World Federation of Democratic Youths, the Asian Students' Information centre and the General Union of Arab Students and Youths spoke in the session as well.
The seminar and consultative session of the Asian Students' Centre, which was opened here at the invitation of the DYOA Central Committee and Asian Students' Centre, will last three days.
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