USSR, charging US role, rules out Afghan pullout
October 6, 1980
New Delhi
The Soviet Union has ruled out an early withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan because of "foreign interference." A Soviet Foreign Ministry spokesman said President Babrak Karmal's social and economic programs were gaining momentum but that there was a parallel process of an "undeclared war" started by the Americans and the Chinese, using Pakistan as a springboard.
"They have not stopped forming gangs of rebels to continue and step up their activities," he said.