The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

low would be delivered that would undermine trust in our relations.” *Vilior Gavrilovich went on to discuss the meeting with Kryuchkov. Kryuchkov must havebeen aware of Andropov’s doubts regarding the Parchamis. This is why he suggested that contactswith all agents from the Parcham wing of the PDPA be frozen. He also issued instructions to haltany contacts with potential agents, who were being developed, with ties to Parcham. Havingshared stories about the news, conversations, and meetings in Moscow, Osadchiy said that hewould be discussing specific issues with each operative one-on-one.While talking about his Moscow vacation, Vilior Gavrilovich didn’t include any details as tohis health condition or medical treatment related to his recent heart attack, as if there had been noheart attack.Alexei Petrov was the first to be called to a meeting with the resident. “You know, Alexei,you will most probably have to leave Afghanistan soon. How long have you been here?”“A little over four years.”“Are you tired of it?”“I don’t know. It is difficult to say.”“Well, you have served your time here well. They are preparing your successor in Moscow.You have done a lot, and deserve the high award that you’ve received. The KGB leadership regardsyou highly. You have used your cover as a TASS correspondent well. I know that the TASSleadership was pleased with your work. I am confident that your career will take off. You knowwell that your presence here in Kabul caused some anxiety in PDPA circles. If a conflict betweenKarmal and Taraki begins, both of them will run to you to make sure that you contact the Soviet* This mode of thinking, at the time, was characteristic of Andropov and the leadership of Soviet intelligence.It should be mentioned that the CIA did not conduct intelligence work among the ranks of the anti-Shahopposition in neighboring Iran. It relied on Iranian Special Services (SAVAK) to receive information about thesituation in the country. As a result, the Americans missed the advent of the Islamic Revolution.170