turndrastically reducetheabilityofthosecountries toadheretotheschedule of repayments oftheirexternal debtsanddebtservices. Theleastdeveloped countries willhavetogothrough evenmoredifficult times. Wehopethat\he mid-term globalreviewoftheimplementation oftheSubstantial NewProgramme of Actionfortheleastdeveloped countries, tobeheldfrom30September to 11OCtoberthisyear,willprovide anopportunity foradopting measures aimedat specific positive actiontowards theef!octlve implementation oftheProgramme.AP/jh A/401!pv.12 ·88 (Hr.»ost,Afghanistan) Itisonlylogicaltbat1lO1'eattention shouldbepaidtotheproblems ofthose leastdeveloped co~tf~e~ whosedevelopllent effortsarefUt'ther hampered bytheir geograph~eal disadvantage asland-locked countries. Wecondemn thecontinuing useofeconomic measures asameansoffOlitical and econCllllic coercion. Thisalarming trend,whichcreates tension anddistrust in international economic relations, QQQoubtedly disrupts theworldeconomy andtrade andundermines itslegalfoundations. Weareconcerned bytheintransigent position ofsomecapitalist countries on thelaunching ofglobalnegotiations, whichhasledtopersistence ofanimpasse on thisissueinspiteoftheinherent flexibility ofthetwo-phase approach proposed bytheNswDelhiSummit. Inourapinion, morevigorous pressure mustbeexerted on thedeveloped capitalist countries inordertoovercome thepresent lackof political willontheirpartandtoestablish anewinternational economic order basedonjustice, equityandco-operation. Thenobleandvaliant peopleofAfghanistan hadsuffered forcenturies under theoppressive anddespotic regimes whiichrepresente4 theinterests ofatiny privileged minority insoci~ty. Favourable changes inthebalance offorcesattheinternational levelandthe gradual maturity ofinter~l conditions provided thematerial basisfora fundamental changeinthenatureofAfghansociety. Aninstrumental roleinthis process wasplayedbythePeople's Democratic partyofAfghanistan, whichthrough itspersistent struggle hadbecometheauthoritative vanguard ofourpeople. Inaccordance ~iththelawsofhistory theevolution ofsocia-economic factors culllinated inthecreation ofthemomentum thatledtotheinevitable victoryof thenational democratic revolution on27April1978.Thisconstituted thefinal victoryofthebeneficial forces'of progress andjustice overthemedieval forces ofdarkness andreaction.AP/jh A/40/pv .•l2 99 (Hr.DoIIt,M9baniiitp) 'Tbefune)uental anddrastic reforms intr\:?~."'Jcecl bytheyoungce901utlonary Governavnt atandaabrilliant andirrefutable proofofthepopular aDd~l'atic essenceoftherevolution, arevolution thatwaslaunched ane)carriedtoauccesll withthesupportofthepeopleofAfghanistan undertheleaaecship ofthePeople's Democratic PartyofAfghanistan. Everydaythatpassedstrengthens thepopular foundation ofrevolutionacy poIi'er. Tberecently heldLoyaJirgah, orGrandA88eably ·oftbePeoples, the elections tof~eloc~lorgansofStatepowerandadainistration andtheconvening ofthe8igh Jir~~h-orCOuncil -ofFrontier Tribesconstitiute landBacka inthe processoftransferring powertothemasses. Iaperiali..,whichhadneverabandoned itshopeofCloainating Afgbaniatan and bringing thatcountry undermilitary-strategic influence, redoubled itseffortsto c~eatechaos~provoking anti-government activities. Bypouring hundreds ofmillions ofdollars' worthofweapons and.-anition into ~~e~mndaofcounter-revolutionary mercenaries, tDparialisa, beg.-oni..ana otherreactionary forceshadunleashed adirtyundeclared waragainst thepeople, theGovernment andtherevolution ofAfghanistan. Facedwiththeever-increasing threatofmassive arMedinva.lon anddirect aggression, theGovernment oftheDemocratic Republic ofAfghanistan badnoother choicebuttotakeappropriate measures tosafeguard theindependence, national sovereignty andterritorial integrity ofthecountry. InconfOrMity withthe Afghan-SOviet TreatyofFriendship, CO-operation andGoOd-neighbourliness and Article 51oftheUnitedNations Charter, theGOvernment oftheDeRocratic aepublic ofAfghanistan requested andreceived fromtheSovietUnionfriendly .~lit.ry assistance tohelptheAfghanpeopleandarmedforcesrepeloutQlde interference andaggression. •(Mr.OO8t,Afghanistan) TbeGovernaent oftbene.ocratic Republic ofAfghanistan hasudeitclearon various occasions, including inthetwoproposals ofMay1980andAugust1981,that
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic and political situation of Afghanistan, specifically the challenges faced by the country in repaying its external debts, the impact of this on its development, and the international community's response. It also touches on the country's internal politics and the role of the Soviet Union in the region.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief