§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments in Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to Afghanistan in the last two months.
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§ Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a statement on developments in Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to Afghanistan in the last two months.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweWe continue to follow the situation in Afghanistan with the utmost concern. For over four years the massive Soviet military presence has inflicted untold devastation and suffering. Yet, despite increasely savage and indiscriminate attacks, such as the latest assault on Panjshir, Soviet troops, now numbering well over 100,000, have failed to crush the spontaneous, countrywide resistance. We remain committed to the search for a political settlement and have given full support to successive United Nations resolutions on Afghanistan calling for the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops; preservation of Afghanistan's independence and nonaligned status self-determination for the Afghan people and the return of the refugees in safety and honour. We welcome any practical steps to this end, including the United Nations Secretary-General's current efforts to mediate. The essential requirement is for the Soviet Union to open the way to a lasting and peaceful settlement, by declaring its willingness to withdraw its troops. Meanwhile we shall continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan victims of this brutal conflict, up to 3 million of whom are refugees in Pakistan. Since January 1980 we have contributed over £21 million for this cause.