Soviet Message on the Invasion of Afghanistan

Soviet Message on the Invasion of Afghanistan (Dec 27, 1979)

Statement issued by the USSR to justify sending troops into Afghanistan.

Audience

Friendly nations like East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Cuba, Mongolia, and Vietnam.

Reason for invasion

USSR claimed Afghanistan’s socialist government (from the April 1978 Revolution) was under attack by foreign-supported counterrevolutionaries.

Hafizullah Amin

Afghan leader who overthrew Nur Mohammad Taraki and suppressed rival socialist factions (Parchamites and Khalqis).

USSR justification

Said intervention supported Afghan armed forces trying to defend the April Revolution.

Withdrawal promise

Soviets stated troops would be withdrawn once the threat was eliminated.

Afghan request

Claimed new Afghan government formally asked the USSR for military support.

1978 Treaty of Friendship

Used by the Soviets to argue their intervention was legal and consistent with Afghan-Soviet agreements.

UN Charter

USSR argued its actions aligned with the UN Charter, limited to defense.

International duty

USSR presented the invasion as fulfilling its duty to support socialist allies under threat.

Expected criticism

Soviets admitted some countries would object, but said that was no reason to refuse aid to Afghanistan.

Diplomatic aim

Encouraged friendly nations to support the USSR’s actions and accept that urgency required immediate intervention.

Key quote (justification)

“Guided by its international duty, [the USSR] has decided to send limited Soviet military contingents to Afghanistan which will be withdrawn … after the reasons … disappear.”