The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

Zaplatin sternly glanced at the interpreter, concluding that the major’s response wasa result of the interpreter’s incompetence. But the lieutenant, a recent graduate of theMilitary Institute of Foreign Languages, confirmed that his interpretation was correct.“When I say ‘gangs,’ I mean weaponized counter-revolutionary detachments,”clarified Zaplatin. “Those who are fighting against lawful authorities.”Inner struggle was apparent on the major’s face. He seemed to be making a choicebetween being frank with the Soviet general and giving him the answer that was expectedfrom him. The major appeared nervous. He was looking past the general.“I hear that there are more than five thousand such people in the province.”“You must be exaggerating,” responded Zaplatin condescendingly. “Where did youget this information?”“People from security services told me. But I think that there are many more ofthem.” The major seemed to have made a decision to speak frankly. “And as you mayunderstand, not all of them can simply be called bandits. Five thousand bandits are a bit toomany for our small province.”Zaplatin felt as if he had hit a wall. Until that very moment, nobody—either in Kabulor the provinces that he had visited—ever expressed any doubt regarding the openlycriminal, hostile nature of the counter-revolution. The rebels were talked about with cleardisdain. The lowest epithets were used to describe them. Plenty of stories wereenthusiastically told about the atrocities they had committed, selling their souls to foreigninstructors.“And who are they, if not enemies, may I inquire?” asked Zaplatin, trying to remaincalm. “They rebel against the April Revolution that brought freedom to Afghanistan and472