Zbigniew Brzezinski, born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1928, the son of a diplomat posted to Canada in 1938, serves as Counselor, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and is Professor of American Foreign Policy at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, Washington, D.C. Brzezinski is said to be a protege of both Nelson A. Rockefeller and Paul H. Nitze (see Nitze School), his CSIS profile states.
His Interview to Le Nouvel Observateur
Le Nouvel Observateur: Former CIA director Robert Gates in his memoirs says that American intelligence services began to help the Mujahideen in Afghanistan six months before the Soviet troops entered Afghanistan. At that time you were advisor to U.S. President Carter's national security, where you informed about it? Do you confirm Gate's words?
Zbigniew Brzezinski: Yes. Officially CIA began to support the mujahideen in 1980 after the Soviet Army entered Afghanistan on 24 of December 1979. But (it was a secret), everything was different: in fact the first directive for secret support opponents of the provision of pro-Soviet regime in Kabul, President Carter signed July 3, 1979. And the same day I wrote him a report where I said that in my opinion it would lead the military intervention of the Soviets.
Le Nouvel Observateur: So you knew the risk but still supported the operation? May be you wanted the war and were looking for ways to provoke it?
Zbigniew Brzezinski: Not quite. We didn't force Russians to intervene We just increased the possibility that they would.
Zbigniew Brzezinski: Regret about what? That secret operation was a brilliant idea. It helped us to get Russians in a trap and you want me to regret it? When Soviet soldiers officially crossed the border I wrote to President Carter: "We have an opportunity to get the USSR it's own Vietnam War now." That was the conflict that was supposed to cause the demoralization and finally the collapse of the Soviet empire.
Le Nouvel Observateur: Do you not regret that promoted Islamic fundamentalism, armed and trained the future terrorists?
Zbigniew Brzezinski: What's more important to world history? The Taliban or the fall of the Soviet empire? Several excited Islamists or the liberation of central Europe and the end of the Cold War?
Le Nouvel Observateur: "Several excited"? But today Islamic fundamentalism is a threat to the world ...
Zbigniew Brzezinski: Nonsense! That was neccessary to form the poilitical view of the West to Islamic World. This is silly: There is no such thing as global Islamism. Let's take a look at Islam rationally and without emotions. This is a world religion with 1.5 billion adherents. But what is common between fundamentalist pro-Western Saudi Arabia, moderate Morocco, militaristic Pakistan, Egypt or secular Central Asia? Nothing beyond what unites the Christian countries.
Information From iPressCenter.com.
Q: How many people died in the September 11 2001 attacks?
A: At least 2,985 people died in the September 11, 2001, attacks, including:
- 19 terrorists
- 2,966 victims [2,998 as of Spring 2009]
Q: How many people died in Soviet vs Afghanistan war?
A:The Soviet war in Afghanistan was a war fought between the forces of the Soviet Union, and Islamic tribes of Afghanistan who were against the Communist government set up by the Soviets. The war began in December 1979, and lasted until February 1989. Many people were killed or wounded in this long war. About 15,000 Soviet soldiers were killed, and about 35,000 were wounded. About 1 million Afghans were killed. The anti-Communist Afghan forces had support from many countries, mainly the United States and Pakistan.
A: At least 2,985 people died in the September 11, 2001, attacks, including:
- 19 terrorists
- 2,966 victims [2,998 as of Spring 2009]
Q: How many people died in Soviet vs Afghanistan war?
A:The Soviet war in Afghanistan was a war fought between the forces of the Soviet Union, and Islamic tribes of Afghanistan who were against the Communist government set up by the Soviets. The war began in December 1979, and lasted until February 1989. Many people were killed or wounded in this long war. About 15,000 Soviet soldiers were killed, and about 35,000 were wounded. About 1 million Afghans were killed. The anti-Communist Afghan forces had support from many countries, mainly the United States and Pakistan.
Translated by iPresscenter.com - Foreign News in English, Interviews, Opinions, Articles.
