In December 1979, the United States decision to aid the Afghan rebels was made by President Jimmy Carter. After three years of conflict, and a change in administration from Carter to Reagan, ambassador Ronald Spiers, who was assigned to Pakistan, realized that The Afghan rebels had little or no chance against soviet Helicopters. Along with pressure from Zia the then current leader of Pakistan, Spiers suggested that new Surface to Air missiles be supplied to the Mujahedeen when supply was adequate. In the summer of 83, Congressman Charlie Wilson, and Clarence long paid a visit to the Afghan Pakistani border where they witnessed firsthand the dire situation of the rebels, and the stressed placed on Pakistan due to the flow of refugees. After
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He and Congress did not want to risk an incident that might endanger the safety of his troops, and the Pakistani people. The Stinger was then denied, for fear of retaliation against Zia, and Pakistan by The Soviet Union. The CIA agreed with Zia, and would only supply foreign made weapons along with humanitarian aid to refugees, as previously directed under The Carter administration. The CIA argued that Soviet counter-escalation could lead to an invasion of Pakistan. The other argument was that the Mujahedeen rebels were not smart enough to use the weapons properly or dispose of them if need be. Another fear was the ability to track the weapons, what if they were discovered by the Soviets or worse, what if they fell into the hands of anti-Semitic, anti-American terrorist. There were just too many concerns, and fear of retaliation from the Soviet …show more content…
“When visiting Americans asked Yousaf (ISI director in Afghanistan) which weapon he would recommend to counter Soviet Air forces he replied “The Stinger”.” (Kuperman, 1999) This would not only give cause to the effort but it would raise the question was Zia opposed to the stingers or was CIA opposed to the idea. To put it simply the CIA did not want The Stingers in Afghanistan, Zia was unsure what he wanted, and the advocacy groups having an influence over congress, and the senate would pressure The CIA. Advocacy groups wanted to supply advanced weapons to counter the Soviets. The media would back the advocacy groups who in turn influenced the
He and Congress did not want to risk an incident that might endanger the safety of his troops, and the Pakistani people. The Stinger was then denied, for fear of retaliation against Zia, and Pakistan by The Soviet Union. The CIA agreed with Zia, and would only supply foreign made weapons along with humanitarian aid to refugees, as previously directed under The Carter administration. The CIA argued that Soviet counter-escalation could lead to an invasion of Pakistan. The other argument was that the Mujahedeen rebels were not smart enough to use the weapons properly or dispose of them if need be. Another fear was the ability to track the weapons, what if they were discovered by the Soviets or worse, what if they fell into the hands of anti-Semitic, anti-American terrorist. There were just too many concerns, and fear of retaliation from the Soviet …show more content…
“When visiting Americans asked Yousaf (ISI director in Afghanistan) which weapon he would recommend to counter Soviet Air forces he replied “The Stinger”.” (Kuperman, 1999) This would not only give cause to the effort but it would raise the question was Zia opposed to the stingers or was CIA opposed to the idea. To put it simply the CIA did not want The Stingers in Afghanistan, Zia was unsure what he wanted, and the advocacy groups having an influence over congress, and the senate would pressure The CIA. Advocacy groups wanted to supply advanced weapons to counter the Soviets. The media would back the advocacy groups who in turn influenced the