The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

in Russian, “Do chego zhe mir tesen! (What a small world!)” He then produced a book byRichard Frye, an American expert on Iran and Central Asia, called The Heritage of Persiaand handed it to Valery. Then, in English, he began to tell in great detail about hisrelationship with Frye, a professor at Harvard University. He had studied Persian with himand now had a business connection with Frye’s son, who was a leading expert on Persianrugs and rugs as objects of art in general, in America. When Frye learned from his son thatthe Anarchist had returned to the United States from Afghanistan in June, he expressed adesire to meet with him, and to listen to his impressions as a witness of the AprilRevolution. Having met, the former teacher and student talked at length about how therevolution came about, the political prognosis for Afghanistan, and the alternative policyoptions that the United States could pursue in that part of the world. During theirconversation, the Anarchist had referred to some of Starostin’s opinions in order to makehis arguments seem more convincing. Frye claimed to remember the Russian specialist inAfghanistan—the archeologist and now, unfortunately, the diplomat—quite well. Theprofessor had asked the Anarchist to give Valery a copy of his most important scientificpublication, The Heritage of Persia.Having received the book, Valery looked through it attentively, expressing hisdelight at the quality of the publication. He asked the Anarchist why the professor hadneglected to sign his copy. The Anarchist replied that he had asked Frye the same question,but Frye claimed that Valery would understand.Starostin began to recall the episodes from his life that were related to Richard Frye.He thought of 1966, when he was in the ancient city of Penjikent in Tajikistan. Penjikentwas located on the shore of the Zarafshan River, about thirty kilometers from Samarkand.212