Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XII, Afghanistan

324. Paper Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency¹

Washington, October 1, 1980

SUMMARY OF AFGHANISTAN COVERT ACTION PROGRAM

Since ordnance deliveries started on 4 January 1980, approximately [amount not declassified] worth of weapons have been delivered, or are en route, to the Afghan freedom fighters. (NOTE: The Paks prefer the term “freedom fighter” or “mujahidin” to insurgents.) Deliveries are limited principally to small arms and emphasize anti-armor and anti-air weapons. Examples of quantities:

—10 thousand AK–47 rifles with 13 million rounds of ammunition

—720 anti-tank rocket launchers (RPG–7) and 14 thousand rockets

—15 thousand land mines

—158 Soviet surface-to-air missiles. Initial effort to use weapons in Afghanistan was unsuccessful, probably due to gunner error. Retraining is underway.

—200 heavy machine guns and 800,000 rounds of ammunition

Most of the equipment is of Soviet origin. There will be no dramatic change in the mix of ordnance in future deliveries, except that consistent with the Pak view of Afghanistan as a people’s war (“Give an Afghan a weapon and you have a soldier”), deliveries of .303 Enfield rifles will be increased.

Reliable intelligence indicates the freedom fighters effective use of the weapons. Soviet helicopters continue to be lost to machine gun ground fire. Armored losses to mine and rocket attacks continue despite Soviet countermeasures. Independent photographic evidence confirms weapon distribution throughout the country. We share Zia’s satisfaction with the level of the insurgency; it is widespread but of sufficient low intensity not to provoke rash Soviet overreaction.

Zia prefers to be ignorant of Egyptian involvement. This should not be discussed. He is aware of and pleased with Saudi participation. We have never discussed specific finances with the Paks.

The Paks have been providing ordnance to the insurgents from their own stocks in addition to those we provide. This Pak action pre-dates our involvement. We are certain their volume does not exceed ours.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, VIP Visit File, Box 11, Pakistan: President Zia-ul-Haq, 10/3/80: Briefing Book. Secret.