First Published: Unity, Vol. 3, No. 1, January 4-17, 1980.
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Paul Saba
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The December 27 invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union is the boldest and most brazen act of Soviet aggression in recent history. The Soviets moved over 50,000 troops into Afghanistan along with tanks and planes. The Soviets burned down the presidential palace and executed the president of the country (a Soviet puppet himself who had not adequately served Moscow’s interests). The Soviets disarmed the Afghani army and are occupying the country by brute force.
As UNITY goes to press, the Soviets are still pouring in troops and military equipment aimed at crushing all opposition. The objective of the Soviets is to reduce Afghanistan to a dependency of the Soviet Union.
The invasion represents a major development in the Soviets’ drive for world domination. It is not only a blatant attack on the Afghani people but it also heightens the Soviets’ direct threat against neighboring Iran and Pakistan, and to world peace. Especially with the U.S.-lranian crisis continuing, the danger of a direct superpower conflict in the Near East has become even more ominous.
The Soviets’ actions confirm the aggressive nature of Soviet imperialism and that it is the most dangerous source of a new world war. In 1975, the Soviets sent Cuban troops to intervene in Angola. Today they are still there. One year ago, the Soviets supported Viet Nam’s blitzkrieg invasion of Kampuchea. Two hundred thousand troops still occupy that country. The direct takeover by the Soviets of Afghanistan today shows that Moscow’s expansionism is escalating. The countries and people of the world must face this fact squarely and not let the Soviets get away with such audacious acts of aggression.
The Afghani people are a tough people who are not easily dominated. They are waging a guerrilla war of resistance. The people of the U.S. must fully support their struggle, demand the immediate withdrawal of all Soviet forces from Afghanistan, and strongly condemn the Soviet Union’s brutal aggression.