The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

When Tarun understood the plan, he began to look more lively. “We agree,” he said,transferring the megaphone to Amstutz. “Please inform the ambassador where he is tohide.”Amstutz agreed, and meekly took the megaphone. While speaking with theambassador about how he felt in English, he quickly switched to German, saying a fewphrases. He said it as quickly and unclearly as only native speakers can. The terroristsimmediately noticed that something was amiss. They demanded that Amstutz cease tospeak, and started shouting in protest. In spite of the terrorists’ reaction, there remained aglimmer of hope that the simple plan could actually work.However, this hope quickly evaporated. The policemen who were sent to bring themachine gun were delayed. They showed up at the door of Room 117 after twenty minutes,long after Dubs was forced back out of the bathroom. Kliushnikov suggested hatchinganother plan.Meanwhile, the terrorists demanded that foreign journalists be gathered in front ofHotel Kabul, and that the head of the country be brought to negotiate with them personally.“Sure,” grinned Tarun. “We should finish them off. It’s time to storm the room.”“Let’s discuss a new plan,” countered Kliushnikov. “There are too many ears aroundus,” he said under his breath. “Let’s find a quiet place to talk.”Tarun, Saifuddin, Kliushnikov, Bakhturin, and Kutepov went to the hoteladministrator’s office. Tarun immediately suggested that they act decisively to destroy thedoor by gunfire, storm into the room, and then do what was necessary, depending on thecircumstances.307