asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the presence of Soviet Union forces in Afghanistan and to the continuing conflict in that country.
Written Answers. - Afghanistan Conflict.
68.
I believe that any solution of the conflict in Afghanistan must be based on the principles set out in successive UN resolutions. These principles include withdrawal of Soviet troops, the right of the Afghan people to self-determination and the voluntary return in safety and honour of the refugees. Ireland has consistently supported the resolutions in this sense adopted each year at the United Nations on the situation in Afghanistan.
Most recently on 9 November 1987 at the UN General Assembly, Ireland was associated with the Twelve in urging the Soviet Union to agree to a rapid and complete withdrawal of their troops according to an irrevocable timetable, which is an essential precondition if this conflict is to end. The Twelve strongly condemned the attacks on the civilian population which are irreconcilable with the norms of international behaviour and violate fundamental human rights. They reaffirmed their continued suport for the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his personal representative Mr. Diego Cordovez and expressed the hope that their untiring endeavours will result in early agreement on outstanding issues. The Twelve hope that the Soviet Union and Kabul will reassess their positions and work for genuine reconciliation in Afghanistan, including arrangements leading to an act of self-determination enabling the Afghan people to decide their own future.