AFGHANISTAN: What Khost Victory?

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For 12 frustrating years, the stalemated siege of the provincial capital of Khost symbolized the inability of the mujahedin to make significant gains against the forces of Soviet-backed President Najibullah. But that situation changed radically last week when the rebels, using anti-mine equipment and tanks, concluded a 19-day coordinated attack by overwhelming the defending forces. In the chaotic fighting, about 150 guerrillas and at least 200 government soldiers died.

While news of the rebel victory prompted surprise and appreciation from the U.S., it comes at what may be an awkward time. Tired of waiting for the rebels to prove themselves on the battlefield, Washington has begun urging the resistance to meet Soviet demands that the Najibullah government be allowed to participate in any postwar national elections. But the rebels, bolstered by their sudden success in taking Khost, want to press on with the war. Nudging the fighting parties toward a permanent peace settlement may be harder than ever.