Another troubling difference was over the question of paid Soviet military advisers in Iraq.
Of most significance in this battle however, was the decision by Soviet military advisers to commit to direct involvement.
He said the Soviet advisers generally behaved as though they were "on a long vacation in a tropical country."
In the late 1980's Soviet advisers trained Afghan soldiers here.
He is reported to be negotiating the complete withdrawal of the 1,500 Soviet military advisers.
Twenty years ago, Soviet advisers sat where Americans do today.
Among those captured were three Soviet military advisers - a fourth was killed - and the army's chief political commissar for the northern region.
The plan was developed in cooperation with Soviet advisers.
Russian caviar, too, sells well, but with fewer Soviet advisers here the price has doubled in a year.
In 1972, however, following a number of disagreements, 20,000 Soviet military advisers were ordered to leave the country.