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

“Vladimir Alexandrovich,” begged Bogdanov. “I hope we can return to Moscow together. Ihaven’t even had my vacation yet.”“No,” was Kryuchkov’s firm response. “You will stay and work for a couple of months, andthen we shall see.”On August 4, Taraki received three representatives of the Soviet intelligence services:Kryuchkov, Bogdanov, and Ershov. Taraki was cordial and exuded optimism. Everything was goingaccording to plan. The revolution had been won. The Soviet Union, as he had hoped for, intendedto provide Afghanistan with broad economic and military assistance. The visit of the head ofintelligence was convincing evidence that Moscow would not refuse any of Kabul’s requests.Kryuchkov gave the new master of the Ark a gift from Brezhnev: a rifle in a wooden boxwith the business card of the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Heinformed Taraki that the request of Afghan leadership regarding the creation of a KGBRepresentative Office in Kabul was granted, and that an agreement between the two organizationswould be signed by tomorrow.Then he congratulated Taraki on the victory of the revolution, adding: “We think that youare only at the beginning of a path that will present you with enormous challenges of an objectivenature. It will be difficult to realize the revolutionary changes that you have in mind under thecurrent circumstances, which are not favorable. The declared goal of establishing socialism in theshort term raises doubts among our comrades. It is possible that we don’t have all of the necessaryinformation,” noted Kryuchkov diplomatically. “This is why we would be grateful to ComradeTaraki if he shares his plans with us.”The Afghan leader, having listened to the guests’ statements somewhat condescendingly,smiled and opened his arms, as if forgiving Kryuchkov, and began a long speech, essentially stating206

that Moscow did not seem to fully appreciate what had happened in Kabul in April.“Yes, I remember your comrades’ warnings very well,” said Taraki. “You had given meadvice not to rush, and to collaborate with Daoud’s regime. But now it is clear to everybody thatwe were the ones who were correct. In many respects, our revolution echoes the OctoberRevolution. However, we did not achieve our victory under the cover of night, but in open battle,in the rays of the bright sun, and this gives particular meaning to our victory. What is happeningnow in Afghanistan is the beginning of a dictatorship of the proletariat in the Soviet style. But whattook you sixty years to achieve will take us five years. Come back to us in a year and you will seehow much Afghanistan has changed. Our mosques will be empty. Our peasants will have createdcooperatives, like your collective farms. Our revolution will show the way to socialism for all of thepeoples in the East. I hope that, as a communist, you agree with our position?”Kryuchkov nodded readily, and shot Bogdanov a pregnant look. The colonel interpretedthis look in his own way: “Now, you will be the one listening to these speeches day after day, andyou are expected to react correctly. And we shall have to decide what ‘correctly’ means.”Kryuchkov demonstrated his legendary caution and did not allow himself to be dragged intofurther discussion with Taraki. He listened to Taraki’s monologue politely and uttered somemeaningless phrases in response, signaling the end of the meeting.Kryuchkov met with Amin three times. Later, he recalled that at first, the “favorite pupil ofTaraki” left him with the favorable impression of someone who was young, energetic, eloquent,and dedicated to the Soviet Union. But some details had already begun to concern Kryuchkov. Forexample, it was obvious that Amin considered himself to be the unspoken master of the country,and that he was going to continue mass repressions, justifying them by the need to eliminate all ofthe obvious and hidden enemies. It was evident that while claiming his loyalty to Soviet comrades,207

“Vladimir Alexandrovich,” begged Bogdanov. “I hope we can return <strong>to</strong> Moscow <strong>to</strong>gether. Ihaven’t even had my vacation yet.”“No,” was Kryuchkov’s firm response. “You will stay and work for a couple of months, andthen we shall see.”On August 4, Taraki received three representatives of the Soviet intelligence services:Kryuchkov, Bogdanov, and Ershov. Taraki was cordial and exuded optimism. Everything was goingaccording <strong>to</strong> plan. <strong>The</strong> revolution had been won. <strong>The</strong> Soviet Union, as he had hoped for, intended<strong>to</strong> provide <strong>Afghanistan</strong> with broad economic and military assistance. <strong>The</strong> visit of the head ofintelligence was convincing evidence that Moscow would not refuse any of Kabul’s requests.Kryuchkov gave the new master of the Ark a gift from Brezhnev: a rifle in a wooden boxwith the business card of the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Heinformed Taraki that the request of Afghan leadership regarding the creation of a KGBRepresentative Office in Kabul was granted, and that an agreement between the two organizationswould be signed by <strong>to</strong>morrow.<strong>The</strong>n he congratulated Taraki on the vic<strong>to</strong>ry of the revolution, adding: “We think that youare only at the beginning of a path that will present you with enormous challenges of an objectivenature. It will be difficult <strong>to</strong> realize the revolutionary changes that you have in mind under thecurrent circumstances, which are not favorable. <strong>The</strong> declared goal of establishing socialism in theshort term raises doubts among our comrades. It is possible that we don’t have all of the necessaryinformation,” noted Kryuchkov diplomatically. “This is why we would be grateful <strong>to</strong> ComradeTaraki if he shares his plans with us.”<strong>The</strong> Afghan leader, having listened <strong>to</strong> the guests’ statements somewhat condescendingly,smiled and opened his arms, as if forgiving Kryuchkov, and began a long speech, essentially stating206

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