by Jonathan Inskeep
WASHINGTON DC -- In an amazing interview with the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur, Zbigniew Brzezinski, former national security advisor to President Jimmy Carter, bragged to a reporter that the United States began to provide aid to "freedom fighters" in Afghanistan six months before the Russian invasion.
|
Text of Brzezinski interview in French as originally published in Le Nouvel Observateur Text of Brzezinski interview in English as translated by William Blum The September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks and the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan: Some observations by William Blum PLEASE NOTE: These links are to the original source material maintained on other websites. As the government crackdown continues, material may be "self-censored" by the various media organizations. We have made our own copies of this material while it is still available, and suggest you do the same. If you have any difficulty with any links contained on this website, please let us know and we will send you copies via email. |
The "official" history of the time, said Brzezinski, is that the December 24, 1979 Soviet invasion occurred first, and that the United States responded by providing advisors, high tech arms, and other assistance to the Afghan "freedom fighters."
The exact opposite is true, according to Brzezinski. Then US President Jimmy Carter signed a directive authorizing the aid six months before the Russian invasion, for the specific purpose of provoking a Russian reaction. The government of Afghanistan, facing the increasingly aggressive US supplied rebels, asked for help from the Soviet military. They entered Afghanistan on December 24, 1979 in an "invasion" that drew worldwide condemnation. [RELATED STORY: Interview first published in French newspaper three years ago; American versions cut.] The ten year Russian war in Afghanistan became their "Vietnam" as the cost in lives and money became more than the Soviet system could bear. According to Brzezinski, the end of the cold war made it all worthwhile. We continue to see "blowback" from the 1979 US intervention in Afghanistan. After the humiliating Russian defeat and withdrawal, various groups in Afghanistan began fighting among themselves as each tried to fill the power vacuum. The most ruthless groups tended to succeed. Many Americans today are urging a reevaluation of our government's past support for violent groups and individuals. We recognize that we are holding the people of Afghanistan accountable for the actions of their government, by bombing them. |
"The man illegally occupying the White House made the following announcement the second week of October: 'We are asking every child in America to earn or give a dollar that will be used to provide food and medical help for the children of Afghanistan...' I suggest that we send the envelopes, but not with any money; instead with a note saying something like 'You could help the children of Afghanistan a great deal more if you'd stop bombing their country, killing them and their parents, and making it impossible for real charitable organizations to bring food, medical, and other aid into the country.' "It would be better if you signed your name and address, but you must realize in the expanded police state that is now looming, this could likely get you put on a list, if not worse." |