GC30 Afghanistan (1984A233)

WHEREAS the fighting in Afghanistan has continued for more than four years; and

WHEREAS the citizens of Afghanistan and its refugees, as well as the citizens of countries receiving refugees, continue to suffer from the war in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS Soviet troops remain in Afghanistan, despite the condemnation of the United Nations, various governments of the world, and non-governmental organizations, including the United Church of Canada; and

WHEREAS, as a signatory to the Helsinki Final Act, the USSR has affirmed the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of sovereign states and has agreed to refrain from the use of force in its relations with other states; and

WHEREAS these principles were reaffirmed by the “Helsinki States” in November, 1983 in the Concluding Document of the Madrid Review Conference; and

WHEREAS the deterioration of virtually all channels of communication between East and West ensures that the status quo is maintained in Afghanistan and is preventing a non-military resolution of the conflict:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 30th General Council:

1. Reaffirm the stand taken by the United Church at the time of invasion, namely, that we:
   1. deplore and strongly condemn the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan;
   2. call for unconditional withdrawal of Soviet troops and all other foreign troops from Afghanistan;
   3. call for full compliance by the USSR with the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign state in accordance with the Helsinki Final Act and the Concluding Document of the 1983 Madrid Review Conference;
2. Call upon the Canadian Government to use its good offices to:
   1. press the Soviet Government for unconditional withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan;
   2. take steps to bring together, under UN auspices, the governments involved to renew talks leading to a non-military resolution of the conflict;
   3. press member states within the UN for a commitment to a cut-off of all arms supplies to the combatants;
   4. develop its own means of gathering information on the military and human rights situation in the region as a contribution to the verification process and a confidence building measure amongst the countries involved;
3. Call upon Canadian manufacturers to refrain from bidding on contracts for parts and components of military goods destined, directly or indirectly, for Afghanistan;
4. Call upon Canadian financial institutions, in particular, the Bank of Nova Scotia, to take the invasion into serious consideration in their decision making as to participation in loans to the government of the USSR, as long as Soviet troops remain in Afghanistan;
5. Call upon the member churches of the Canadian Council of Churches, the Council of European Churches, and the National Council of Churches of Christ-USA, to renew and strengthen their efforts to press their governments for action leading to a speedy and non-military resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

GC30 1984 ROP, pp. 110-111