The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

new regime is still very weak. This is why it seems to me that Taraki and his allies havemade a mistake by depriving themselves of support from Karmal and his circle. I think thatin this current phase, they should have relied upon a broad front of democratic andpatriotic forces, rather than limiting their opportunities by relying on a small sect ofPashtun Khalqis.”Having heard the word “sect,” Dvoryankov was offended. “Then consider me to be aPashtun sectarian as well. Yes, me, this Soviet Communist and Bolshevik is a dedicatedKhalqi.”Tamara, sensing that the men might start fighting over this topic, shifted theconversation to the Institute of Oriental Studies, where she had worked previously.However, the professor, who was a great polemist, had already committed to his position inthe political discussion with Starostin and was determined to defeat his opponent.“Valery,” he asked, “are you a smart man, or aren’t you?”“I don’t know. I’m not in particular need of a great mind. I’m not a scientist. I do notwork in a scientific institution.”“Right now, you’re talking just like your Ambassador Puzanov. Have you not studiedhistory? You don’t know that real revolutions cannot be based on a broad front, ademocracy? This is true in any part of the world, in any country, and particularly inAfghanistan. If democracy begins here, then there will never be a revolution, only emptyarguments and conversations about the need of a revolution and of possible ways for itsrealization. The real revolution can only take place when some political party in a certainpart of the society succeeds in imposing unconditional respect for the iron will of thosewho aspire to carry on the revolution. Revolution involves the greatest violence.273