Dr. J. Bruce Amstutz, U.S. charge d¹affaires in Kabul from 1977 to 1980, begins his treatment of the first five years of Soviet occupation with an historical overview of years of Russian meddling in Afghan affairs. He follows this account with a first-hand report of the 1979 invasion, and analyzes the intervention from political, military, and economic perspectives. Important issues are: Afghan political factions, leaders, the human rights and refugee problems, diplomatic efforts to settle conlict, and Soviet measures to repress the Afghans. Photos.