§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have noted the request of the Prime Minister of Afghanistan concerning the possible establishment, with the help of the United Nations, of a control mechanism on Afghanistan's borders with the Soviet Union, Pakistan. and Iran to monitor the implementation of the accords reached in Moscow; and what has been their response to this suggestion.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)We understand that American and Soviet officials are discussing detailed arrangements for implementing the US/Soviet agreement of 13th September to cease arms supplies both to the Afghan mujahideen and to the Kabul regime. We consider the Afghan President's proposal for a monitoring mechanism impractical on grounds of effectiveness and cost. Since we have no political dealings with the regime in Kabul, we do not intend to respond directly.