The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

wasn’t involved in any affairs of the state. After the May 1 celebrations, Taraki didn’t invite him tovisit any more.Were Karmal Babrak a regular bureaucrat, he might have liked such a situation. He couldjust sit in his cavernous office, give commands to sleepy subordinates, and respond to interviewrequests from Afghan and foreign journalists. He could also use his “administrative resources” toenrich himself, as many others did. He could acquire funds through trusted sources for investmentin businesses. He could have arranged beneficial positions for friends and relatives—why not?But Babrak Karmal never was and would never become a bureaucrat. He was aprofessional revolutionary. He was not interested in material wealth. He needed action. He wantedto address and agitate crowds of many thousands. He knew that once he voiced an idea from hispodium, it would immediately turn into something tangible. People would be indignant or excited.People would do what he told them to do. Karmal subsisted on action. He was going crazy fromsitting at his desk doing nothing.It seemed to him that Taraki had completely forgotten about him. What happened? IsTaraki still in a state of euphoria from the recent victory? Has that joy driven him into prolongeddrunkenness? Perhaps he is simply ill? However, Karmal sensed something considerably worse.Taraki was waiting for the right time to deliver a decisive blow against Parcham. Babrak couldforesee the beginning of a major campaign that would push him and his comrades out of thepolitical life of the country.Sitting in his huge, unfriendly office and looking at his silent telephones, Karmal thoughtunhappy thoughts. Surely Taraki was aware of the growing dissatisfaction among the Parchamis,who by now were being expelled from the armed forces and the state apparatus. Most likely,Taraki has received reports that these people have come to me, their leader, demanding that I154