Information about the visit of the Afghan party and state delegation, headed by Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan Nur Mohamed Tarakhi to the USSR

In the period December 4th - 7th the Afghan party and state delegation, headed by Nur Mohamed Taraki visited the Soviet Union.

The delegation included many of the members of the politburo of the Central Committee - Hafizula Amin, Shah Vali, and comrade Suma, the ministers of industry, agriculture, energy and communications, deputy-ministers of commerce, culture and housing.

To meet Nur Mohamed Tarakhi's desire, the delegation visited only Moscow.

Top-level talks were held at two of the meetings. The Soviet party was represented by comrades Brezhnev, Kossygin, Gromiko, Ponamarev.

Twenty-four meetings took place between the Afghan delegation and the top-level Soviet party and state leaders.

Hafizula Amin met the following comrades: Kossygin, Gromiko, Andropov, marshal Agorkov and Sholokov.

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The visit was initiated by the Afghan party.

Its objectives were:

1. To make face-to-face contacts with the Soviet Union's party and state leaders;
2. To specify the major trends of the development of the cooperation between the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and the Soviet Union;
3. To share opinions on the most topical issues of international affairs.

This is Brezhnev's official statement on behalf of the Soviet delegation:

“With the coming to power of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, and the progressive socioeconomic policies to the benefit of working people is an event of historical importance for Afghanistan. We are sincerely happy that the Afghan people have succeeded in defending the revolution and the revolutionary achievements from all internal and international predators within such a short period.” Comrade Brezhnev pointed out that the relations between the Soviet Union and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan were assuming a completely different nature. These relations are now based on class belonging; they are imbued with the spirit of friendship and revolutionary solidarity.

Comrade Brezhnev assured Tarakhi and all delegation members of the assistance and support they can firmly rely on; all activity towards the revolutionary transformation of the Afghan society will be backed up.

Mr Tarakhi pointed out that the Afghani party attached prime importance to their visit to the Soviet Union. All talks and meetings will contribute to the strengthening of the revolutionary regime in Afghanistan; they will enhance the support from within the country and abroad.

In its domestic policy PDPA has adopted a program of radical revolutionary socio-economic reforms to the benefit of the working class; these reforms will help abolish any remains of feudalism and semi-feudal social relations; they will provide for the non-capitalist development of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and the building up of a society free from exploitation, based upon the progressive ideology of the working class and scientifically-grounded socialism. Here is what Tarakhi emphasized about foreign policy: “The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan has been conducting a policy targeted at strengthening the brotherly relations with the socialist countries; this policy is also aimed at non-alignment as a form of struggle against imperialism and colonialism, protecting world peace, favoring détente and disarmament, and providing support for the national liberation movements.

A joint communiqué emphasizes the policies adopted by the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan; this policy was outlined in Tarakhi's speech at the dinner given by the CC of the CPSU, the Supreme Council of the USSR and the Soviet government.

An important result of the visit of the Afghan party and state delegation to the Soviet Union was signing the Treaty on the establishment of friendly relations and close cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

The latter was drawn up upon the Afghani party's initiative.

Both parties pointed out that this treaty was of considerable political significance in terms of strengthening the relations between the two countries, and supporting peace and security throughout the world. This treaty enhances Afghanistan's image and authority in international affairs; it guarantees its national independence, territorial integrity and security. This treaty will have an impact on all opponents of the revolutionary regime in Afghanistan and prevents their action towards undermining the revolutionary process. The documents agreed upon state the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan's initiative to set up the movement of non-aligned countries; at present, since the April Revolution the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan has adopted the correct stance on many of the movement's major issues. Together with the Republic of Korea, the Socialist Republic of Republic of Vietnam, and other progressive member-countries, the movement will contribute to the consolidation of the anti-imperialist positions.

Tarakhi informed the Soviet comrades of the anti-Afghanistan action taken from the territory of Pakistan. He pointed out that the two countries had different attitudes towards the pushtuns and the beludzuns.

The Soviet leaders, Brezhnev and Kossygin stressed that it was inappropriate to take any measures. Such measures would provoke anti-revolutionary action by both internal reactionary forces and external enemies; thus the situation in the region will be complicated. The Soviet party shares the concern about the future of the pushtuns and the beludzuns; it is of the opinion that only negotiations with the participation of these two groups can contribute to reaching a solution of the problem.

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The Soviet leaders laid down their opinion of the necessity that the party's unity be strengthened and all progressive forces to take part in the revolutionary restructuring of Afghanistan.

They suggested that the USSR assume the responsibility to carry out many of the properties in Afghanistan's development. The properties, talks about which have already been held, are to become part of an agreement in the field of economics, science and technology. All newly proposed properties are to be a matter of further negotiations between the Soviet and Afghan ministers; following preliminary consultations, these must become an integral part of the agreement on economic cooperation.

The following was agreed upon: an increase in the oil supplies to the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan; setting up a link between the Soviet energy network and that of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan; refurbishment and reconstruction of the oil-processing plant.

The establishment of a joint commission for economic cooperation on the level of ministers was agreed upon.

All Afghani members of the delegation made a statement about the successful visit. Useful and fruitful talks were conducted. The Soviet leaders, and comrade Brezhnev in particular, expressed their interest towards Afghanistan, their warm and cordial attitudes. Comrade Brezhnev drank to the health of Tarakhi, Amin, and other members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of PDPA.

The major conclusion finally arrived at was that the April Revolution is a crucial historical moment for Afghanistan. Under PDPA's leadership, Afghanistan was to abolish the centuries-long backwardness in its development; its was to carry out deep social and economic reforms to bring feudal social order to an end; it was to start establishing a society free from any exploitation. Most views of contemporary foreign affairs issues were common.

Hence there are sufficient grounds to claim that all necessary conditions to develop relations with the socialist countries, and coordinate all efforts in the struggle for peace, cooperation, détente, disarmament between the peoples in Asia and throughout the world, are present.

Upon the delegation's return from the Soviet Union, the politburo of the Central Committee of PDPA considered all results of the visit.

Tarakhi pointed out the attentiveness and interest by both the CC of the CPSU, and comrade Brezhnev in particular.

The visit and its results were highly appreciated. All members of the delegation, the Afghan State and Party functionaries were satisfied with these results.