The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

Indeed, there would be many more Soviet party advisers in Afghanistan, from provinces,republican Central Committees, and even from the Soviet Central Committee. Some of them,without thinking, would enthusiastically try to transfer the success of Soviet development ontoAfghan soil. They would create party committees, conduct party meetings, and organize partyschools, all in the Soviet style. Their speakers would quote Lenin, Brezhnev, and Taraki (and laterAmin, Karmal, and Najibullah). Their oaths would pledge loyalty to the achievements of the greatApril Revolution. Communist subbotniki * , classes dedicated to studying Lenin’s writing, socialistcompetitions, delegates, congresses—in short, all of the Soviet ideological infrastructure—wouldbe mimicked in Afghanistan. All of the emptiness, the hypocrisy, and the formalism would bedragged there from the Soviet Union. In fairness to Kharazov, he rose above such superficiality. Hetruly wanted to get to the essence of reforming life in Afghanistan, and if he gave any advice, hegave it sincerely and thoughtfully.Kharazov found a fervent pupil in Amin, with whom he met frequently. Amin wanted toknow in great detail about the infrastructure of the CPSU, the role of average party members, andthe leading organs of the party. Once, he mentioned that it would be a good idea to name theAfghan party the “Communist Party” as in the Soviet Union, until Kharazov managed to dissuadehim.Amin was very quickly rising in the power structures. Not only was he the minister offoreign affairs, but he also handled the armed forces, special forces, and police. He became deeplyinvolved in economic issues and the development of the party ideology. Gorelov and Zaplatin likedhim. Both generals were fond of Amin’s enormous energy, industriousness, and his eagerness totake on responsibility. Amin was perceived in a much more favorable light in comparison with* Weekend civic projects where Soviet citizens “volunteered” to work. [Translators note]182