The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

had gained experience in harrying military situations, had served in remote garrisons, andknew danger. He had completed 511 successful parachute jumps and there were manyribbons decorating his military uniform. He led the paratrooper division during the Sovietinvasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968—memories of which he attempted not to dredge up.Seven years after that, in 1975, Gorelov was serving as a deputy commander of theFourteenth Army when he was unexpectedly summoned to a meeting of the General Staff ofthe Soviet armed forces. He was received by the head of the General Staff, Marshal Kulikov.“You have been appointed as the chief military advisor in Afghanistan. In light of theexpansion of the Soviet Union’s military presence and assistance in the region, you will bein charge of the training and preparation of the officer corps. And mind—no politics.” Themarshal walked across his spacious office and looked at the two dozen different telephoneson the desk. “The situation in Afghanistan may appear simple at first glance, but one canfind some very interesting processes taking place under the surface. Local officers arebeing pulled in different directions. President Daoud wants them to side with him. Afghancommunists have their own agenda regarding the army. You’ll figure it out once you’re onthe ground.”President Daoud received Gorelov immediately upon his arrival in Kabul. Heintroduced the general to the supreme military commanders of Afghanistan and wishedhim success. He was allocated a spacious apartment in Mikrorayon, a car, and aninterpreter.Lev Nikolayevich knew about the existence of the PDPA, but minding the order ofMarshal Kulikov, tried to stay away from politics. He instructed his officers to do the same.There were more than three hundred military advisors in Afghanistan, most of whom had21