Commentary: Afghanistan: Time Is Up

The Soviets have delivered new heavy missiles to their Communist surrogates in Kabul, and this is a good sign. Together with the Soviets’ announcement of a suspension of their pullout, and their use of new fighter-bombers to relieve the guerrilla siege of Kandahar, it is a plain admission that the guerrillas are overwhelming the remaining Communist strongholds. The Scud missiles the Soviets are bringing in are relatively inaccurate and therefore of little military value in Afghanistan—they could be used only for attacking Pakistani cities—and will not threaten the guerrillas. Kabul and Moscow are clearly panicking.

The West should reply to this Soviet escalation by stepping up our support for the guerrillas. Stinger missiles—perhaps the superior Post version—should be given a chance to prove their worth against the MiG-275. The promised long-range mortars should now be delivered. Since these mortars would replace the inaccurate free-flight 105mm rockets currently used, they would help to minimize civilian casualties in guerrilla sieges of cities.

RS

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Radek Sikorski

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The Soviets have delivered new heavy missiles to their Communist surrogates in Kabul, and this is a good sign. Together with the Soviets’ announcement of a suspension of their pullout, and their use of new fighter-bombers to relieve the guerrilla siege of Kandahar, it is a plain admission that the guerrillas are overwhelming the remaining Communist strongholds. The Scud missiles the Soviets are bringing in are relatively inaccurate and therefore of little military value in Afghanistan—they could be used only for attacking Pakistani cities—and will not threaten the guerrillas. Kabul and Moscow are clearly panicking.

The West should reply to this Soviet escalation by stepping up our support for the guerrillas. Stinger missiles—perhaps the superior Post version—should be given a chance to prove their worth against the MiG-275. The promised long-range mortars should now be delivered. Since these mortars would replace the inaccurate free-flight 105mm rockets currently used, they would help to minimize civilian casualties in guerrilla sieges of cities.