126. Letter From the Former Afghan Ambassador to the United States (Malikyar) to President Carter1
As former Afghanistan Ambassador to the United States for more than a decade, I have been troubled a great deal as have the rest of the world over the recent invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union.2 I can certainly appreciate the dilemma you are in Mr. President, but as an Afghan, I can assure you sir that only strong retaliatory measures could have any significant effect in stopping further Soviet aggression in that vulnerable region of the world.
If the United States does not act decisively and immediately, there is almost nothing to prevent the Russians from advancing into Iran, Pakistan, India and ultimately the Persian Gulf. I, therefore, Mr. President humbly urge you to take the necessary strong action needed to [Page 348] force a Soviet withdrawal and a return of independence, neutrality and integrity to Afghanistan.
And if I may also suggest to you sir, it would be altogether proper to form a task force consisting of former prominent Afghan officials now residing in the United States as well as private American citizens who are well acquainted with Afghanistan to assist you in evaluating the current events in Afghanistan.3
Mr. President, I, for one, find it very difficult to idly sit by and not be able to contribute to my country’s cause. It is also unimaginable for me to see Afghanistan become another part of the Soviet block. It is this very fear of loss of identity that has forced hundreds of thousands of Afghans to seek refuge in neighboring Pakistan, there to regroup and organize a counter force against the communist regime in their homeland. But now their hopes of success against direct Russian army have diminished, unless they receive substantial assistance and support from the United States.
Mr. President, my prayers are with you and for the quick release of the American hostages in Iran.
Respectfully,
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P800018–0746. No classification marking. Attached but not printed is a January 2 covering memorandum from Malikyar to Brzezinski. Malikyar wrote: “Your support of this cause which has worldwide implications would be greatly appreciated by the people of Afghanistan. My prayers and thoughts are with the American people for the quick and safe release of the American hostages.”↩
- An unknown hand underlined the first portion of this sentence. Malikyar was Ambassador 1967–1978. He learned in May 1978 that he was being relieved of his duties by the new Taraki government. (Telegram 4271 from Tehran, May 5, 1978; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780192–0015)↩
- No record of a task force, per Malikyar’s suggestion, was found.↩
- Malikyar wrote by hand “Former Afghanistan Amb. to the U.S.” beneath his signature.↩