Afghan Rebel Successes Reported

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday December 17, 1986

Source: Associated Press, Reuter

WASHINGTON, Tuesday: Afghan resistance forces, reported to be using American-made Stinger missiles, have had increasing success shooting down Soviet aircraft, according to the State Department.

The seven-year-old war pits the Afghan Government and an estimated 118,000 Soviet soldiers against guerillas supported by some neighbouring countries and the United States.

According to reports - that have never been officially confirmed by the Reagan Administration - the Afghan resistance forces have been provided with US Stinger missiles - shoulder-fired weapons more effective than arms previously used.

The State report did not confirm the transfer of Stingers to the guerillas but said the forces "demonstrated an improved capability to blunt Afghanistan and Soviet operations and they made major advances in air defence with the increasing use of surface-to-air missiles".

Also, relations between Afghanistan and Iran "deteriorated further in 1986 in tandem with Afghan and Soviet allegations of increased Iranian support for the resistance", the report said.

It said a coalition of pro-Iranian groups controls the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan.

Kabul Radio was monitored in Islamabad, as saying that the Afghan leader, Mr Najibullah, today briefed colleagues on his recent trip to Moscow and issued instructions for a new drive for national reconciliation.

Mr Najibullah, the former secret police chief, said the ruling Communist Party was prepared for "any constructive dialogue" with political forces inside or outside the country.

But a statement issued in Pakistan by the main alliance of seven rebel groups rejected the idea of joining a government with communists.