UN call for Afghan pullout sought again by 3rd world

Forthy third-world nations submitted a resolution in the UN General Assembly with a renewal call for the withdrawal of foreign troops -- meaning the Soviets -- from Afghanistan. The measure's introduction provoked vigorous debate as the Assembly opened a one-week session on the situation. Pakistani Foreign Minister Agha Shahi, whose country is one of the resolution's main backers, said over 1.2 million Afghan refugees were already in Pakistan and another half million in Iran, amounting to nearly 10 percent of Afghanistan's population

During a special session last January, the Assembly passed a call for the withdrawal of Soviet troops by an overwhelming 104-18 vote.