The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

Bobrak?”This was the extent of the instructions that Kharazov received before his departure. Heunderstood that people in the Central Committee weren’t particularly inclined to chat aboutAfghanistan. It seemed to him that his colleagues were irritated by the topic. For some reason, itwas unpleasant for them. Only a few months later, he would figure out the source of theirdiscomfort: every day, complex, unclear information would arrive from Kabul that required aresponse, but nobody knew quite what to say. Hence his directions to, “figure things out once youarrive.”In Afghanistan, as soon as Kharazov stepped onto the tarmac, he was greeted by a shortman in Afghan military uniform without insignia. “Welcome, Valery Innokentievich.”Kharazov was glad to see the general. General Gorelov had earlier served as the commander of aparatrooper division in Lithuania, where they had been friends. Now, the senior military adviserbecame the mentor of the newly arrived Kharazov, and agreed to introduce him to the local scene.However, Kharazov learned of the most acute problem almost immediately upon his arrival inAfghanistan, during his first meeting with the head of the Afghan state. Taraki, after the ritualgreetings, told Kharazov about the situation in Afghanistan and assured him that socialism wouldbe instituted there before long. He advised Kharazov to be in constant contact with Comrade Amin,who would assist the newcomer in resolving all the issues that might arise. Then, after havingdismissed the other participants at the meeting, Taraki asked Kharazov and Ambassador Puzanovto remain seated. When the others left the room, Taraki said that Babrak Karmal wanted to make astatement to their Soviet comrades. Karmal entered, greeted his Soviet guests coldly, and satdown. An uncomfortable silence descended on the office. Then Karmal began speaking in a voicecracking with emotion.180