The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University
The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University
Petrov responded sternly, briefly summarizing the essence of the message that hadbeen delivered to Taraki in the Kremlin: “A coup d’etat is being plotted in Afghanistan.Hafizullah Amin wants to remove you from your position. This may happen in the next fewdays. This is what Leonid Ilyich was trying to tell you. But because of his status, he couldnot say it so openly.”Taraki seemed surprised, but not scared. It was apparent that he still did notappreciate the acuteness of the threat that was looming over him.“What should I do when I arrive in Kabul?”“You should find an appropriate reason to strip Amin of his titles, remove him fromhis positions, and then, possibly, try him for all the crimes that he has committed.”“I think we will settle all these issues with Amin, Alexei.” Taraki stood up. So didPetrov. It was time for Taraki to rest. The old friends embraced before saying goodbye toeach other.Amin's people who accompanied Taraki on that trip did not waste any time on thatday, September 10, either. Their task was to inform the Soviet leaders about the plotagainst the prime minister, which was prepared by the “heroes of revolution” who hadgone astray. Counterintelligence Chief Aziz Akbari approached Colonel Bogdanov on theday of the delegation's arrival and said that he needed to speak with him. Leonid Pavlovichasked some intelligence operative who spoke Dari to interpret. Akbari said that he had anassignment, given to him by Comrade Amin, who wanted his Soviet colleagues to beinformed that a plot against him in Kabul was being spearheaded by four prominentKhalqis. Akbari listed the names of the four plotters and added: “Comrade Amin asked thatour conversation be interpreted by Major Tarun, who speaks Russian well.” However, to508
Bogdanov's astonishment, he added: “Please keep in mind that everything I am going to sayin Tarun's presence does not reflect reality.”Bogdanov, who was very intrigued, approached Tarun: “Would you please help uswith the interpretation?” Tarun eagerly agreed.When only the three of them remained in the room, Aziz Akbari repeated theinformation about the plot and named the four key plotters. Bogdanov pretended that hehad never heard about it before. When the conversation was over and Akbari walked out ofthe room, Bogdanov asked Tarun for his opinion about the information. Tarun confirmedthat everything that Akbari said was true. He added that the traitors not only wanted toremove Amin from his position, but they were planning to eliminate him physically.Bogdanov was aware of that as well. Then the tone of the conversation changed. Tarunstarted to curse Taraki, saying that he was out of his mind, and added that the plotters alsowanted to kill him, Tarun.Bogdanov, as had become routine, appealed to Tarun not to get carried away by theprovocations and to do everything possible to prevent a split within the Afghan leadership.After the conversation was over, he went looking for Aziz Akbari again. Akbari appearedfrightened and agitated. He told Bogdanov that the real plot was being planned by Aminhimself, and that Amin had decided to remove Taraki and become the single ruler ofAfghanistan. Amin, according to Akbari, had the allegiance of Head of the General StaffYaqub and other members of the Central Committee. Because the three ministers andSarwari were an obstacle in his path to full control of power, Amin wanted to eliminatethem first. The coup should take place in the nearest future.Bogdanov was in Moscow on vacation. But after all those conversations, it became509
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Bogdanov's as<strong>to</strong>nishment, he added: “Please keep in mind that everything I am going <strong>to</strong> sayin Tarun's presence does not reflect reality.”Bogdanov, who was very intrigued, approached Tarun: “Would you please help uswith the interpretation?” Tarun eagerly agreed.When only the three of them remained in the room, Aziz Akbari repeated theinformation about the plot and named the four key plotters. Bogdanov pretended that hehad never heard about it before. When the conversation was over and Akbari walked out ofthe room, Bogdanov asked Tarun for his opinion about the information. Tarun confirmedthat everything that Akbari said was true. He added that the trai<strong>to</strong>rs not only wanted <strong>to</strong>remove Amin from his position, but they were planning <strong>to</strong> eliminate him physically.Bogdanov was aware of that as well. <strong>The</strong>n the <strong>to</strong>ne of the conversation changed. Tarunstarted <strong>to</strong> curse Taraki, saying that he was out of his mind, and added that the plotters alsowanted <strong>to</strong> kill him, Tarun.Bogdanov, as had become routine, appealed <strong>to</strong> Tarun not <strong>to</strong> get carried away by theprovocations and <strong>to</strong> do everything possible <strong>to</strong> prevent a split within the Afghan leadership.After the conversation was over, he went looking for Aziz Akbari again. Akbari appearedfrightened and agitated. He <strong>to</strong>ld Bogdanov that the real plot was being planned by Aminhimself, and that Amin had decided <strong>to</strong> remove Taraki and become the single ruler of<strong>Afghanistan</strong>. Amin, according <strong>to</strong> Akbari, had the allegiance of Head of the General StaffYaqub and other members of the Central Committee. Because the three ministers andSarwari were an obstacle in his path <strong>to</strong> full control of power, Amin wanted <strong>to</strong> eliminatethem first. <strong>The</strong> coup should take place in the nearest future.Bogdanov was in Moscow on vacation. But after all those conversations, it became509
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