Speaker. on December 27. 1979. the Soviet Union launched its brutal invasion of Afghanistan. Since that day. the Soviets have sought to consolidate their control over the country with a repressive and ruthless occupation force. As a result. over onefourth of the prewar population has fled the country and now constitutes the largest refugee population in the world. The Soviets and their puppet regime in Kabul have stepped up their military campaign against civilians in an apparent attempt to depopulate the country. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the continued murderous occupation of that country has been repeatedly condemned by the NonAligned Movement. the United Nations. and European Parliament. the Islamic Conference Organization. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.