The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

performed culinary miracles, particularly of Azeri cuisine. Since then, Bogdanov had heardnothing of Mikhail T.Suddenly, the two met each other in Kabul. Bogdanov, on his way out of Kabul,wanted to be accompanied by armed Zenit operatives, as had become the custom in Kabulduring those last few weeks of 1979. Special forces officers arrived at the embassy in aVolga. They waited for their boss to emerge from the embassy. Bogdanov was about to takea seat in his Mercedes when suddenly one of the Zenit officers called him by name. LeonidPavlovich turned and, to his shock, saw the former intern with whom he had worked inTehran two years ago. It was surprising that the future undercover officer would beexposed in Zenit. Normally these agents would be protected even within their own “S”Division. Bogdanov suspected that something had not worked out in his assignment as anundercover agent. It was likely that he had fallen victim to some sort of betrayal.“Misha, how did you get here?”“I was sent to Kabul because of my knowledge of several Oriental languages,including Dari. They seem to think I may be useful here.”Bogdanov realized immediately that he would be very useful indeed. He startedhatching plans for his former intern straight away.Later that afternoon, having returned from the trip, Bogdanov sent his proposal tothe Center. The real cook, who was preparing to leave Moscow to serve Amin and hisfamily, was to stay behind. Mikhail T., the Zenit operative, was to be sent in his place. WhenGeneral Ivanov learned about Bogdanov’s plan, he approved it without delay.“Excellent, Leonid Pavlovich. You must carry out your plan. I understand that yourundercover operative can take over Amin’s kitchen within three days.”658