‘Peace move propaganda ploy’

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 11

‘Peace move propaganda ploy’

NZPA-Reuter Geneva Pakistan has blasted a much heralded peace initiative by Afghanistan, calling it a propaganda ploy to diffuse criticism about the continued presence of 115,000 Soviet troops in the country. The Pakistani Foreign Minister, Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, told reporters after four days of United Nations-sponsored talks in Geneva, “They (Kabul) called us to this meeting at short notice and the request was accompanied by indications that something substantial was in the offing.” But no offer came during the first two days, and then Kabul said it was willing to trim a timetable for the departure of some 115,000 Soviet troops to 16 months from 18, he said. After all the trumpeting about a new timetable for

Soviet withdrawal, Yaqub Khan said he arrived expecting a dramatic breakthrough after five years of negotiations. "On arrival, we expected, in view of the prelude, proposals which would be substantial, serious and intended to overcome the remaining obstacles. We were disappointed,” he said. Pakistan made a counter offer for Soviet troops to leave within eight months of the signing of a United Nations peace plan but Kabul then called off the meeting. At the previous round in March, Islamabad wanted the Russian troops out in seven months. Yaqub Khan said the Afghan delegation gave no explanation for why it made the surprise request that a round of talks be arranged hastily.