The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

favor, and inquired as to the nature of Ershov’s assignment in Kabul. “Yuri Vladimirovichpersonally tasked me to come here,” Ershov informed the ambassador with a tone of significancein his voice. He spoke quietly and mysteriously.After the meeting, Ivan Ivanovich went upstairs to the familiar quarters of the KGB KabulResidency. Alexei Petrov sat there smoking and waiting for Ershov’s arrival. Ivan Ivanovichbeckoned him to the corridor so their conversation would be private. He tasked Alexei, referringto the assignment of the Center, with arranging his meeting with Taraki and Amin as soon aspossible.Ivan Ivanovich’s respect was directed not so much at people, but at their high positions,and he now wanted to be received by the new leaders of the country. Petrov understood the taskright away and left to make arrangements for the meeting. Ivan Ivanovich began to prepare for theimportant rendezvous, periodically instructing members of the group that arrived with him.However, the meeting had still not been arranged after several days. Alexei Petrov swore toErshov that he had reminded Taraki and Amin of Andropov’s representative’s request. However,citing busy schedules, they continued to postpone the meeting. Finally, on the fourth day, Alexeiexcitedly told Ershov that the colonel could meet with Amin in the TASS office.“And what about Taraki?” asked Ershov.“Ivan Ivanovich, he has a completely different status now,” replied Alexei meekly. “He isnow the head of a sovereign state. To tell you the truth, I simply cannot get in touch with himdirectly.”Earlier, during the years of his work in Kabul as a resident, Ershov met Taraki and Amin inthe TASS office quite often. At the time, he didn’t take them entirely seriously. The Khalqisthemselves didn’t treat the Soviet resident particularly favorably. They didn’t like him due to a126