Most observers. however. and even members of the resistance. acknowledge that the Soviets cannot be defeated militarily in Afghanistan. But their costs in men and equipment can be forced upward by betterequipped freedom fighters. The objective of American assistance should be: to compel the Soviets and their clients in Kabul to negotiate an end to the war and a Soviet troop withdrawal. to promote selfdetermination for the Afghan people. and to bring home millions of Afghan refugees in peace and in honor. The U.N.-sponsored talks between Kabul. Pakistan. and Iran are a possible path to these goals. but their progress will depend largely on how effective the freedom fighters are in the field against the Soviet Army.
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refugees