NICOSIA, Dec 26, Reuter: The war in Afghanistan must continue until an Islamic Government a rule in Kabul, Iranian Prime Minister Mir-Hossain Mousavi was quoted as saying on Monday.
Iranian television, monitored by the British Broadcasting Corporation, said Mousavi made his remarks to visiting Afghan Guerrilla Chief Burhanddin Rabbani.
It quoted Mousavi as saying the struggle of the Afghan people had forced “the enemy to concede defeat.”
Mousavi’s comments came on the ninth anniversary of the occupation of Afghanistan by Soviet Troops.
Moscow is due to withdraw all its troops by February next year under the terms of a U.N. sponsored accord but has suspended the pullout following increasing attacks by Afghan rebels.
The television station quoted parliamentary speaker Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as saying the Afghan people had suffered a great deal, the BBC reported.
“Your Islamic morale helped you a lot, and what is important now is that you should manage your future very prudently,” Rafsanjani was quoted as telling Rabbani.
Rabbani, who heads a Pakistan based Rebel Alliance, is in Iran for talks with Rebels based there. He is expected to discuss strategy ahead of a second round of peace talks with Soviet envoys.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 30, 1988
