Afghanistan: Mules to the Mujahedin

“Nothing important stands in the way of concluding a settlement,” declared Afghan Foreign Minister Abdul Wakil last week, as the latest round of U.N.-sponsored peace talks began in Geneva. Pakistan, which represents the mujahedin rebels at the talks, and Afghanistan agreed that the withdrawal period for Soviet troops would be cut from ten to nine months.

Among the hurdles that remain is the rebel leaders’ opposition to any agreement that would shut down the CIA arms pipeline through Pakistan. The mujahedin complain that shipments have declined more than 50% over the past two months, despite a U.S. promise to escalate them.

The mujahedin have also been unhappy with some of the aid getting through. Last December the U.S. shipped almost 2,000 Tennessee mules to Pakistan to carry rebel supplies across the border. However, Pakistani sources say many of the animals have not adjusted to their new climate. Some have died, others have developed conjunctivitis, and many are just too wobbly to work.