The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

13.07.2015 Views

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

leadership on their behalf, using covert channels, although now they could simply use open linesof communication. This potential tension must be addressed. Do you understand me, Alexei?”Alexei nodded in agreement, although he was upset by the resident’s words. Heremembered what Victor Bubnov had told him recently (“It is not so good that people who arevery close to you, Alexei, are now leading Afghanistan”). Petrov understood the arguments of theCenter, as described by his chief, and he could not but agree with him. However, he was reluctantto leave Kabul. He knew that he would be offered work in other “nice countries,” but he had nointerest in those “nice countries.” Alexei knew Farsi well, but had difficulty speaking English. Hethought of the boredom of having to go to Europe or America. It would bring prestige and goodincome, but would pale in comparison with the excitement of working in Afghanistan.Victor Bubnov was the next to be summoned to Osadchiy’s office.“Which agent of yours, Victor Andreyevich, would you say you could part with in light ofwhat I said at the meeting? With which Parchamis could you cut ties?”Bubnov responded firmly and calmly: “I am not going to part with any of them. ViliorGavrilovich, you understand as well as I do that those agents are also my friends. You can demandanything you want, but you can’t ask me to betray my friends.”“Victor, I don’t want you to think that this is what I am asking of you. Besides, I know thatyou don’t have a single Parchami as an agent, but I had to inquire formally. You understand thatthis is an order from the Center. One does not argue with it.Starostin was next to come to the chief’s office. “Valery, I think that, in light of the newinstructions, you should freeze Khost and cut out Agent ‘Artem,’” ordered Osadchiy dryly.“Why?” replied Starostin, who was well prepared for such a conversation and spoke in asimilar tone.171

leadership on their behalf, using covert channels, although now they could simply use open linesof communication. This potential tension must be addressed. Do you understand me, Alexei?”Alexei nodded in agreement, although he was upset by the resident’s words. Heremembered what Vic<strong>to</strong>r Bubnov had <strong>to</strong>ld him recently (“It is not so good that people who arevery close <strong>to</strong> you, Alexei, are now leading <strong>Afghanistan</strong>”). Petrov unders<strong>to</strong>od the arguments of theCenter, as described by his chief, and he could not but agree with him. However, he was reluctant<strong>to</strong> leave Kabul. He knew that he would be offered work in other “nice countries,” but he had nointerest in those “nice countries.” Alexei knew Farsi well, but had difficulty speaking English. Hethought of the boredom of having <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> Europe or America. It would bring prestige and goodincome, but would pale in comparison with the excitement of working in <strong>Afghanistan</strong>.Vic<strong>to</strong>r Bubnov was the next <strong>to</strong> be summoned <strong>to</strong> Osadchiy’s office.“Which agent of yours, Vic<strong>to</strong>r Andreyevich, would you say you could part with in light ofwhat I said at the meeting? With which Parchamis could you cut ties?”Bubnov responded firmly and calmly: “I am not going <strong>to</strong> part with any of them. ViliorGavrilovich, you understand as well as I do that those agents are also my friends. You can demandanything you want, but you can’t ask me <strong>to</strong> betray my friends.”“Vic<strong>to</strong>r, I don’t want you <strong>to</strong> think that this is what I am asking of you. Besides, I know thatyou don’t have a single Parchami as an agent, but I had <strong>to</strong> inquire formally. You understand thatthis is an order from the Center. One does not argue with it.Starostin was next <strong>to</strong> come <strong>to</strong> the chief’s office. “Valery, I think that, in light of the newinstructions, you should freeze Khost and cut out Agent ‘Artem,’” ordered Osadchiy dryly.“Why?” replied Starostin, who was well prepared for such a conversation and spoke in asimilar <strong>to</strong>ne.171

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