1.
SV PULL OUT TO GV Afghan deserters praying
0.24

2.
CU INTERIOR: Afghan deserters on bunk PULL OUT TO GV other deserters sitting in room
0.42

3.
SV: Signs at border post. (2 shots)
0.48

4.
SV: Border official checking documents belonging to Afghani at border post
0.53

5.
GV AND SV: Afghan immigrants packing their luggage before returning home on bus. (2 shots)
1.12




Initials RH/



TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: As opposition by Afghan tribesmen to foreign troops in Afghanistan continues, there are reports to tribesmen crossing the border into Iran for food and medical attention. At the same time deserters from the Afghan Army have been gathering at villages just inside neighbouring Iran.

SYNOPSIS: The deserters make directly for the headquarters of the Committee for Afghanistan Refugees - an organisation the Iranian allow the function openly although it is said to be a centre for Afghan guerrilla activity.

While they wait to return to fight in Afghanistan they pray to Allah. They say their faith is the strength of their movement.

The deserters tell Committee officials what weapons, ammunition and good they have brought with them and in return they are given new papers. It gives them the chance to join what they see as a Jihad, a Holy War.

Their enemy...they say...are 40,000 troops from the Soviet Union now inside Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, there is another steady stream of Afghans returning home to fight. It is made up of Afghans who sought work in Iran,some of them illegally,and are now making the journey back to their homeland. Many say they will take up arms against the troops supporting the country's new Government....although admitting they are heavily outgunned.