The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

esponse to our cable. “Meet with Comrade Amin immediately and relay the following: a waris underway in Afghanistan. The Soviet Union expresses its serious concerns about thefractious state of the party and Afghan leadership, as well as the continuing hostilities. We areobliged to warn you that if immediate emergency actions are not taken, the consequencesmay be grave.” This is not the message verbatim, but the essence of it.In the evening we went to the Ark Palace. I was accompanied by Pavlovsky, Gorelov,Ivanov, and Rurikov, our interpreter. We told Taraki, “We are tasked with relaying the Sovietleadership’s position, but we would prefer it if Comrade Amin were present during ourconversation.” Taraki explained that Amin was in the palace and would be joining themshortly. Amin appeared soon after, dressed in an Oriental robe and slippers, as if he’d justgotten out of bed. Where did he come from? Why was he dressed that way? Another mystery.I informed them of the directive from Moscow. Taraki replied, “There are a number ofdisagreements within our leadership, but what leadership is without disagreements? Pleaseinform our Soviet friends that we are grateful for their participation and that we assure themthat everything will be in order.”Amin looked absolutely unperturbed and self-confident during the meeting, as if theconversation had nothing to do with his recent actions. He also took the floor. “I agree witheverything that my dear Comrade Taraki said. I would like to add only that I would diepraising Taraki. If destiny has it for Taraki to depart before me, I will sacredly continue thepolicies of my leader and teacher.”I would like to draw your attention to the fact that only a few hours remained until itwas all over.We returned to the embassy, where we discovered four unexpected guests—the Khalqis.523