The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

factions, but couldn’t grasp what kept the two groups apart. PDPA’s noble, progressive, anddemocratic goals appeared compatible with the Military Revolutionary Youth members’goals, but Khalqis and Parchamis harbored such animosity and uncompromisingaggression towards one another. Qadir’s comrades sent him to find out about the essenceof the conflict between the two factions. Members of Parcham arranged a generousreception for him: shish kebabs, vegetables, and vodka were served. They immediatelybegan to invite the officers to join the ranks of the party.“But why are you fighting each other?” asked Qadir.“This is a technical question. With time things will settle down,” Babrak Karmalresponded.“In that case, we will wait until you unite with each other.”Qadir, while not particularly well educated, was a naturally shrewd, intelligent, andcautious political operator. With patience, he usually achieved his goals. Later, when theMilitary Revolutionary Youth Organization had grown to include more than a hundredofficers, one of Daoud’s trusted representatives came to him. He informed Qadir that Daoudhimself requested a meeting with him. The idea of an anti-monarchical coup was ripe inAfghanistan, but the support of the army was crucial and still lacking.The consideration of this military aspect was what brought Qadir and hisorganization into the fold. Initially the pilot was very cautious about supporting Daoud. Butwhen Daoud promised that the overthrow of the monarchy would clear the way forsocialism, Qadir quickly became optimistic, and convinced his comrades of the merit ofDaoud’s plan. Daoud promised that the socialism would be Islamic in essence, a socialismfounded upon the natural Afghan identity.37