It is not credible. as the commentators who wish at all costs to exculpate the Soviets claim. that they gave way to momentary panic. The great "liberal" Mikhail Gorbachev seems to have not the slightest intention of modifying the Soviet political plan for Afghanistan. One of his first declarations on the subject. in March 1985. was to threaten reprisals against Pakistan if that country continued to "meddle in the internal affairs" of its neighbor. which in Soviet language means if Pakistan continues to shelter Afghan refugees instead of repelling them across the border to be massacred on the other side. Must one conclude that the Soviet Union is invulnerable and canas South Africa. or Chile. cannotviolate human rights with impunity. shielded by the discreet complicity of an international opinion that knows it is powerless? Perhaps not.
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refugees