The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

Chapter 2:“We Knocked Out Their Teeth and Became Free.”The morning of April 28 was clear and sunny. Not a cloud was to be seen above themountains surrounding Kabul. The snowy peaks rose against a background of endless blue. “Itsurely will not rain today,” Starostin told his wife Tamara as they got into the embassy car.Generally, Friday was a day off, but due to today’s special circumstances, they went to workearly. Tamara, who—like many women—was normally quite interested in the weather forecast,paid no attention to her husband’s words. She was too anxious about the couple’s five-year-oldson, who had been left with their friends in the embassy compound the night before. She wasconcerned that the boy would be traumatized by the sounds of the military assault. She prayedsilently for all to be well.While driving along Darul Aman Road, the Starostins witnessed a horrific scene. Alieutenant and two sergeants were dragging a young man in officer’s uniform at gunpoint. Theyoung officer was missing a service cap, tie, belt, and holster. He seemed withdrawn andindifferent. A young, heavy woman with long, loose, black hair, dressed in her domestic garb,followed the grim procession, wailing in tears. Suddenly, she dashed forward and caught up withthe officers. She grabbed the lieutenant by the sleeve and, looking directly into his eyes, beganspeaking very quickly, waving her hand in his face. The officer tried to respond. The sergeants,who were dragging the prisoner, stopped to watch their commander.To avoid taking a risk, Valery decided not to drive the car past the group, but instead topark it near one of the entrances to the residential buildings. Meanwhile, the lieutenant pushed90