Despite the oppression and use of force. Afghanistans freedom fighters struggle to remove the Soviet occupation and restore peace and democracy to their troubled land. As a result of the Soviet invasion. over onefourth of the prewar population has fled the country. constituting the largest refugee population in the world. Even though the Soviets and their puppet government have stepped up their military campaign against the civilian population. the freedom fighters have frustrated all Soviet attempts to suppress them and withstood with unmatched courage and sacrifice the unrelenting attacks by Soviet forces. The Soviet invasion and repression of the Afghan people has earned the condemnation of the NonAligned Movement. the United Nations. the European Parliament. the Islamic Conference Organization. the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. and most of the countries of the world. I have joined with many of my colleagues this holiday season in sponsoring a resolution condemning these 6 horrible years of aggression waged against the independent country and people of Afghanistan. It expresses our support for continued aid for the Afghan population both inside and outside Afghanistan and urges the prompt conclusion of a negotiated settlement based upon the complete withdrawal of Russian troops. restoration of the independent and nonaligned status of Afghanistan. selfdetermination for the Afghan people. and the return of the Afghan refugees to their country with safety. dignity. and honor. It has been accurately observed that. "No one can be perfectly free until all are free." So in our hopes and prayers this special season. let us seek freedom. democratic selfgovernment. and justice for the people of Afghanistan.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees