Letters
Heroic resistance
Sir: In his article of 30 January Mr Simon Winchester says that there is hardly any sign of Soviet troops in Afghanistan. It seems the interest of the Western press has tapered off since the first shock of Russian invasion on Christmas Eve 1979. There is very little in the newspapers or on television about what is being done to the inhabitants of a small, backward country. Some analysts would argue that Afghanistan was a regional problem to be dealt with on a regional basis and that a small country should not be allowed to stand in the way of vital negotiations to control the arms race or the confrontation in central Europe.
When the Russians occupied Afghanistan two years ago they called their operation limited and temporary, but it now has the appearance of being permanent and total. There have been frequent reports that Soviet forces are using lethal nerve gases as well as chemicals which irritate or in- capacitate. The Russians have killed at least 50,000 civilians in Afghanistan and have terrorised two and a half million people into fleeing to neighbouring Pakistan, putting great strain on its resources. The functions of government, administration and educa- tion are steadily being Sovietised and the economic ties strengthened.
It is true, however, that Soviet occupa- tion forces and their Afghan puppets are no closer to their objectives of suppressing the resistance and establishing firm control of Afghanistan than they were two years ago. Despite the occupation of Afghanistan by some 90,000 Soviet combat troops equip- ped with the most modern weapons, the heroic resistance of the Afghan people has continued to increase in effectiveness. They lack arms, food, drugs — even shoes — yet Afghan guerrillas predict victory over the Soviet invaders.
Jamil Ahmad
14 Charminster Avenue, London SW I9
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