The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

13.07.2015 Views

workers, avant-garde peasants, and intelligentsia to the party ranks. New party memberswere departing for the fronts of the civil war…That was the way to solve the problem ofstrengthening and expanding the party ranks, while at the same time fighting the counterrevolution.”“This is all correct,” nodded Taraki, thinking, “Where should we get those bestworkers and avant-garde peasants?”“Intensification of political and educational activities among the population is veryimportant,” Brezhnev continued reading. “By the way, here is a question, Comrade Taraki.Soviet Communist Party advisers assist secretaries of provincial PDPA committees in asmany as eleven of your country’s provinces. Many of those secretaries combine their PDPAappointments with positions as provincial governors. It would be more appropriate toseparate official government positions from PDPA appointments.“Because of your country’s specific conditions, the issue of clarifying the PDPA’s andthe government’s stance toward religion for the broad masses is of particularimportance…Selection and placement of military, PDPA and government cadres arebecoming particularly important in the conditions of the continuing struggle againstcounter-revolution. I also am aware of your bitter experiences caused by the treachery ofsome army officers and violations of the party norms by government and party officials insome provinces.”“Thank you, Leonid Ilyich,” Taraki said, agreeing with the criticism. “I will speakabout this issue later. I would like to ask you, if it is possible, to send the translation of yourremarks to me via the Soviet ambassador. I’ve been taking notes, but would like to have thefull text in order to study it more attentively.”502

“We will send you the translation,” promised Brezhnev, taking a short break fromreading his prepared text. He was about to convey the most important message, which wasthe main reason for inviting this Afghan revolutionary to the Kremlin: “Many times, in ourconversations and correspondence, we have touched upon the importance of a trulycollective party leadership and the need for strict adherence to the principles of collectiveleadership. I know that your Politburo recently adopted a number of excellent decrees inthis regard. However, it seems that it is taking much too long to implement these decrees. Iam going to frankly tell you, Comrade Taraki, that we are convinced that the lack ofresolution of this issue, as well as violations of the norms of inner-party democracy and thegroundless repression against your party comrades, hold back the energy of the party,prevent the evolution of its creative powers, and create an atmosphere of tension amongthe cadres and the population.”Having uttered such a long monologue, Brezhnev paused and gave his Afghan guesta stern look above his reading glasses. The guest seemed depressed. Gavrilov, who wasinterpreting the conversation and who had familiarized himself with Brezhnev’s text inadvance, turned pale. He nervously shuffled his papers. The moment was coming whenBrezhnev was supposed to warn his Afghan guest about the imminent danger. Would thegeneral secretary of PDPA be able to perceive this warning adequately? Would he be able tounderstand it?“I would not consider my duty fulfilled to the end, Comrade Taraki, if, in confidence,I did not touch on an issue that is of great concern to us. Not only to us, but according to theinformation that we have, to some PDPA activists as well,” Brezhnev put emphasis on thosewords. “Your special role as the general secretary and the chairman of the Revolutionary503

“We will send you the translation,” promised Brezhnev, taking a short break fromreading his prepared text. He was about <strong>to</strong> convey the most important message, which wasthe main reason for inviting this Afghan revolutionary <strong>to</strong> the Kremlin: “Many times, in ourconversations and correspondence, we have <strong>to</strong>uched upon the importance of a trulycollective party leadership and the need for strict adherence <strong>to</strong> the principles of collectiveleadership. I know that your Politburo recently adopted a number of excellent decrees inthis regard. However, it seems that it is taking much <strong>to</strong>o long <strong>to</strong> implement these decrees. Iam going <strong>to</strong> frankly tell you, Comrade Taraki, that we are convinced that the lack ofresolution of this issue, as well as violations of the norms of inner-party democracy and thegroundless repression against your party comrades, hold back the energy of the party,prevent the evolution of its creative powers, and create an atmosphere of tension amongthe cadres and the population.”Having uttered such a long monologue, Brezhnev paused and gave his Afghan guesta stern look above his reading glasses. <strong>The</strong> guest seemed depressed. Gavrilov, who wasinterpreting the conversation and who had familiarized himself with Brezhnev’s text inadvance, turned pale. He nervously shuffled his papers. <strong>The</strong> moment was coming whenBrezhnev was supposed <strong>to</strong> warn his Afghan guest about the imminent danger. Would thegeneral secretary of PDPA be able <strong>to</strong> perceive this warning adequately? Would he be able <strong>to</strong>understand it?“I would not consider my duty fulfilled <strong>to</strong> the end, Comrade Taraki, if, in confidence,I did not <strong>to</strong>uch on an issue that is of great concern <strong>to</strong> us. Not only <strong>to</strong> us, but according <strong>to</strong> theinformation that we have, <strong>to</strong> some PDPA activists as well,” Brezhnev put emphasis on thosewords. “Your special role as the general secretary and the chairman of the Revolutionary503

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