The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

where they needed, together with the ambassador, pick up their friend Badruddin Bahes,continue on, drop the ambassador off, and switch their car.“‘The professional security organs did their best to safely extricate the ambassadorfrom the claws of the terrorists. However, the terrorists did not allow that to happen.’ Afterall, who would admit that something was not done properly, or had been miscalculated?“‘The terrorists demanded someone by the name of Badruddin Bahes, a person whois not currently in Afghanistan, and whose whereabouts are unknown, to be released andbrought to them. Despite the ensuing negotiations, the terrorists continued to insist ontheir demand. However, it turned out to be unfeasible.’ Interesting why both sides had toplay dumb. Tarun certainly knew that the person whose release the terrorists haddemanded was not in Afghanistan. Why didn’t he ask the terrorists, ‘Tell me dear friends,where should I search for your Badruddin Bahes, and what would be the best way for me tobring him to you?’ Let’s suppose that Tarun was simply stalling for time. But what aboutthe terrorists? Why did they assume such a formal attitude toward their own demands?Why didn’t they keep asking the authorities how they were going about meeting theirconditions?“‘At about 12:30 p.m., the terrorists began to threaten to kill the ambassador if theirdemands were not met within ten minutes.’ It sounds as if they slept for three hours andsuddenly woke up. It’s interesting, how one can fulfill a demand in ten minutes, whichcould not be fulfilled in three hours. It’s just not serious. However, this lack of seriousnessdoesn’t match up with the drama of the moment. The lives of the ambassador and theterrorists were at stake. How can one not be serious in such a situation?313