The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

“Think, who could receive this Baryalai and listen to him? Keep in mind necessarymeans of secrecy. They must not find out about this in Kabul.”Ulyanovsky understood that he himself should not play this game. Finally, a staffmember of the International Department, Genrich Polyakov, met with Baryalai. Baryalaiwas happy to be received. He gave Polyakov a letter from Karmal and repeated everythingthat he had told Nekrasov.“The physical elimination of real communists is occurring in Afghanistan,” Baryalaisaid bitterly. “All true friends of the Soviet Union are rotting in prisons. Many have beenshot. Ambassador Puzanov is misinforming you. He is more interested in his career thananything else. What should I do, Comrade Polyakov? Should I return to Kabul or do yourecommend that I go into hiding in another country?”Polyakov, who had received specific instructions to avoid this sort of discussion,shrugged his shoulders, suggesting that Baryalai should decide on his own. Baryalaiexploded.“Not long ago the Soviets advised us on how to proceed in difficult situations. Wecouldn’t take one step without your advice. You trained us to be your younger brothers,who must always listen to their elder brothers. Now you’re turning your back on us. Youhave abandoned us. You’ve placed your bets on villains who are a shame to socialism, whocompromise you.”Polyakov winced. These issues had not been on the meeting’s agenda. He assuredBaryalai that he would do his best. They parted.***250