According to Russian experts, 70% of the debt was provided to Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in the form of fighter planes, other heavy weaponry, spare parts and for services of Russian military experts. The other 30% remains unexplained and most likely consisted of civilian aid under programs to propagate communist ideas and to educate local officials.
The source said the sides may fail to draft the document by April when the signing was planned.
Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak said earlier the agreement may be signed at the spring session of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington in April.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during his visit to Kabul in late February that the debt settlement will help the two countries cooperate in economic and trade spheres and contribute to Russian investment in the Afghan economy.
Russia will write off Afghanistan's debt under agreements reached as part of the Paris Club of Creditor Nations in July 2006. This move will help Russia raise its international authority.
