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

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

“No,” objected Bogdanov. “His back story must be airtight. He should fly fromBagram to the Soviet Union covertly, without anyone knowing. There, he should receivedocuments from GKES * so that he can make a “clean” return to Afghanistan, with pots andpans and dietary recommendations as to how Comrade Amin should be fed.”“We are going to lose time,” Ivanov countered, but eventually agreed withBogdanov’s arguments.Several days later, a female dietician who had met Bogdanov by accident at theembassy happily informed him, “We have a new addition to our team. Remember, I told youthat we were expecting a cook to join us? He has arrived. He has been given an apartmentin Mikrorayon, and we are helping him get settled. He seems to be a capable specialist,although a bit shy. He doesn’t even feel like going outside.”“Shy? Good for him,” thought Bogdanov. “He should pretend that he is in Kabul forthe first time. Everything should seem strange for him. Better for him not to appear in thestreets unnecessarily, in case any of the Zenit guys see him. That could compromise theentire operation.”The next day, Bogdanov managed to establish a reliable connection with Amin’s“personal cook,” who began to transfer the necessary information regarding Amin’sschedule and diet, location of the rooms at the residence, and the sorts of guests who werevisiting. No other tasks were given to the cook as of yet. His hour had yet to arrive.Other options for the elimination of the Afghan leader, besides employing the “cook”as a “deadly weapon,” were being considered. Demolition experts from Zenit were* The State Committee on Foreign Economic Relations; arrangements for business trips for civilian specialistswho were to live and work abroad would be processed here.659

“No,” objected Bogdanov. “His back s<strong>to</strong>ry must be airtight. He should fly fromBagram <strong>to</strong> the Soviet Union covertly, without anyone knowing. <strong>The</strong>re, he should receivedocuments from GKES * so that he can make a “clean” return <strong>to</strong> <strong>Afghanistan</strong>, with pots andpans and dietary recommendations as <strong>to</strong> how Comrade Amin should be fed.”“We are going <strong>to</strong> lose time,” Ivanov countered, but eventually agreed withBogdanov’s arguments.Several days later, a female dietician who had met Bogdanov by accident at theembassy happily informed him, “We have a new addition <strong>to</strong> our team. Remember, I <strong>to</strong>ld youthat we were expecting a cook <strong>to</strong> join us? He has arrived. He has been given an apartmentin Mikrorayon, and we are helping him get settled. He seems <strong>to</strong> be a capable specialist,although a bit shy. He doesn’t even feel like going outside.”“Shy? Good for him,” thought Bogdanov. “He should pretend that he is in Kabul forthe first time. Everything should seem strange for him. Better for him not <strong>to</strong> appear in thestreets unnecessarily, in case any of the Zenit guys see him. That could compromise theentire operation.”<strong>The</strong> next day, Bogdanov managed <strong>to</strong> establish a reliable connection with Amin’s“personal cook,” who began <strong>to</strong> transfer the necessary information regarding Amin’sschedule and diet, location of the rooms at the residence, and the sorts of guests who werevisiting. No other tasks were given <strong>to</strong> the cook as of yet. His hour had yet <strong>to</strong> arrive.Other options for the elimination of the Afghan leader, besides employing the “cook”as a “deadly weapon,” were being considered. Demolition experts from Zenit were* <strong>The</strong> State Committee on Foreign Economic Relations; arrangements for business trips for civilian specialistswho were <strong>to</strong> live and work abroad would be processed here.659

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!