Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XII, Afghanistan

313. Article in the National Intelligence Daily¹

[article number not declassified]

Washington, August 30, 1980

USSR-PAKISTAN: Increased Soviet Pressure

Moscow appears to be increasing its diplomatic and propaganda pressure on Pakistan. ([classification marking not declassified])

In his speech yesterday, President Brezhnev again accused Pakistan of allowing itself to be used as the principal channel of support for Afghan “counterrevolutionaries.”² Soviet media in recent days have sought to heighten Islamabad’s fears of Soviet meddling in Pakistani internal affairs by emphasizing the alleged widespread domestic opposition to President Zia’s Afghan policy. ([classification marking not declassified])

[less than 1 line not declassified] Soviet threats against Pakistan, often via third parties, also have resumed. [6 lines, classification marking, codeword, and handling restriction not declassified]

Moscow’s increased pressure on Islamabad may stem from a belief that the Pakistanis are increasing their support to the Afghan insurgency. In recent months, the insurgents appear to have received heavier weapons and to be using them with greater effectiveness. Moscow could also be reacting to the Pakistani crackdown on Soviet diplomatic and propaganda activity inside Pakistan and could be seeking to dissuade Pakistan from taking the lead in condemning the USSR at forthcoming UN and Islamic Conference meetings. ([classification marking not declassified])

The new Soviet Ambassador in Islamabad reportedly has been instructed to inform the Pakistanis that Moscow will provide substantial economic and military assistance to Pakistan and will encourage Afghanistan to recognize the disputed Pakistani-Afghan border if Zia will negotiate with the regime in Kabul. ([classification marking, codeword, and handling restriction not declassified])

1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 81B00401R: Subject Files of the Presidential Briefing Coordinator for DCI (1977–81), Box 8, Afghanistan Crisis—August 1980, NIDs. Top Secret; [codeword and handling restriction not declassified].
2. In his speech at Alma-Ata on August 29, Brezhnev gave an overview of world affairs. Concerning Afghanistan, he affirmed Soviet readiness to negotiate a political settlement. (Anthony Austin, “Brezhnev Urges U.S. to Aid Normalization,” New York Times, August 30, 1980, p. 3)