Some Soviets to Stay, Najibullah Says
President Najibullah said Thursday that Muslim rebels will never be allowed to take over Afghanistan and that Soviet military advisers will stay indefinitely to help his army fight the insurgents.
Najibullah said his army is strong enough to defend the country if outside aid to the guerrillas ends.
The Soviet Union plans to start withdrawing its estimated 115,000 soldiers May 15. The United States, China and other countries supply military aid and advice to the rebels through Pakistan.
At a news conference for foreign journalists, Najibullah said the Soviets have provided military aid and advice to Afghanistan for more than three decades.
“There were military advisers of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan even prior to the . . . revolution and will be in the future,” said Najibullah. “We will utilize the advice of the Soviet advisers as well as others.”
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