The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

custody of the Armed Forces of Afghanistan at his residence, “for his protection.” Itreported that there had been personnel changes in the DRA’s leadership: AssadullahSarwari would be replaced by his deputy Aziz Akbari as head of AGSA, Aslam Watanjarwould be replaced by Faqir Mohammad Faqir as the minister of the interior, SayedMuhammad Gulabzoi would be replaced by Mohammad Zarif as minister ofcommunications, and Saheb Jan Sahrai would replace Mazdouryar as the frontier affairsminister.This news provoked a strong emotional reaction from Starostin’s guests. They werehappy to hear about Tarun’s death, saddened to learn that Amin had managed to survivethe attempt on his life, and shocked to hear that Taraki was locked up in his residence.When the broadcast had finished, Sarwari, Gulabzoi, and Watanjar settled around thecoffee table and began a conversation in Pashto. Starostin went upstairs to see his wife.When he returned to his guests a little while later, Sarwari suggested they discuss a fewissues.Sarwari stated categorically on behalf of all three of them that Taraki would beremoved from all his posts the next day and would be murdered in a very short time. Thatwould mean that the April Revolution was defeated. That was why Sarwari and his friendsasked Valery, counting on his revolutionary solidarity, if he would participate in a jointoperation to save Taraki. The plan was this: They would all get into Starostin’s Volga withtheir weapons. Gulabzoi would sit next to the driver and Watanjar and Sarwari would beseated in the back. Starostin would drive the car to Taraki’s residence. When stopped at thecheckpoint, the Afghans would conceal themselves and Valery would tell the guards that hehad an urgent message from the Soviet ambassador that he needed to relay to Comrade556