Afghanistan became the first of the thenyoung Soviet Unions neighbors to offer it the hand of friendship. concluding a Treaty of Friendship and NonAggression. The tready provided that the two Islamic Khanates of Khiva and Bukhara would retain the autonomous status they had under the csarist empire. Yet. before the treaty was 1 year old. the Red army brutally swept through these lands. driving many of their people as refugees into Afghanistan. In letter No. 195. dated February 13. 1921. the Soviet Ambassador gave excuses for these actions that have a disturbingly modern ring to them: Presence of a limited number of troops of my country in Bukhara is on the basis of temporary needs. which the government of Bukhara has considered and asked for. It means that at any time the government of Bukhara will demand their withdrawal. no Russian troops will remain there.
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refugees