Afghanistan (Hansard, 30 March 1988)

§ 18. Mr. Mans
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken recently to encourage the Soviet Union to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
When I was in Moscow in February I told Mr. Gorbachev and Mr. Shevardnadze of the need for the complete withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan this year and our wish to see a neutral, nonaligned and independent Afghanistan. We welcome the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General's personal representative to pave the way for a settlement.

§ 24. Mr. Soames
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to visit Kabul.

§ Mr. Eggar
My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to visit Kabul.

§ 25. Mr. Favell
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about progress towards a Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.

§ Mr. Eggar
The Soviet Union has expressed its intention to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. Arrangements for the withdrawal are the subject of proximity talks in Geneva involving Pakistan and the Kabul regime. We have repeatedly called for Soviet withdrawal to be completed within 1988.