The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

Before dinner, Amin invited the guests to survey the landscape surrounding theTajbeg from a huge terrace adjacent to his office. Pines had been planted around the palaceand flower beds had been designed, and a modern restaurant complete with a pool wasconstructed nearby for future occasions. The guards and other military units stayed in theunfinished barracks not far from the palace, and one could see a row of tanks that had beenhalf-concealed. The front of the palace was guarded by the Soviet special forces.“There are no fortress walls here, like at Ark,” explained Amin. “Security isguaranteed by several rings of protection. A fly would not be able to cross the perimeter.”The Politburo members were duly impressed, judging by their verbal reaction.Nobody knows, however, what was on their minds.Then the dinner began. The generous host set the light, relaxed tone for thegathering. When Pandzhsheri, who was directed by doctors to follow a strict diet, refusedto eat soup containing meat, Amin joked that they must have spoiled him with the Kremlincuisine. Everybody laughed, including Pandzhsheri. He repeated to everybody what he hadalready told Amin: that the Soviet leadership was satisfied with his report of Taraki’s deathand the country’s change in leadership. His visit, he said, had further strengthened relationswith Moscow. He had received confirmation that the USSR would provide Afghanistan withcomprehensive military assistance.The host solemnly looked his guests. “The Soviet divisions are already on their way.I’ve always told you that our great neighbor would not desert us. I speak on the phone withComrade Gromyko often, and we have jointly discussed how to better formulate themessage about Soviet military assistance for the international community.”713