The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

sectors. There were proclamations of other good intentions as well. And to be fair, it shouldbe noted that during his rule, Daoud earnestly attempted to realize the reforms promised inhis inaugural address.The new head of state, commenting on the foreign policy of the republican regime,emphasized his intention to strengthen the friendship with “the great northern neighbor,”as well as to resist “pro-imperialist ventures” within his borders. The foreign policy tilttowards Moscow was emphasized because Daoud’s recent ascent to power had beenenforced by young officers who had received their military training in the Soviet Union.Many of them were members of the PDPA and had collaborated closely with BabrakKarmal. Once his presidency was established, Daoud was obliged to reward them withappointments to high-level government positions.Daoud traveled to the Soviet Union on his first state visit. He was warmly received.The visit included many meetings that determined the course of comprehensivedevelopment for Soviet-Afghan relations.Daoud, an experienced politician and an intelligent and pragmatic man, decided toassert his political authority over his enemies with immediate and decisive action. Thesuppression of Islamic fundamentalists was his first goal. Islamists had thrown acid in thefaces of girls who walked uncloaked by their hijabs. They committed terrorist acts and hadeven attempted to organize pockets of armed resistance in several regions of the country.Daoud arrested and imprisoned Ghulam Mohammad Niazi, the dean of the theologicaldepartment and a founder of the Islamic extremist group “Muslim Youth.” Some monthslater, in December 1973, another radical Islamic leader, Habibullah Rahman, was arrestedand executed on the conviction of plotting to overthrow the regime. His friends, convicted15