The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

“But then you should realize that the life of the American ambassador will besubjected to great risk,” said Kliushnikov. “This option leaves him practically no chance ofsurvival.”“We have no other ideas,” replied Tarun. He turned to telephone someone, whoappeared to be a higher-up. They spoke in Pashto. Tarun appeared to be complaining to hissuperior about the “willful behavior of the Soviet adviser.” According to him, ColonelKliushnikov was meddling in the police’s attempts to carry out the rescue operation.Having finished the conversation, Tarun victoriously informed the adviser that he was in noposition to intervene in their domestic affairs.Alexander Kliushnikov, indignant, left the room. In the hall, he said, “A dangerousand unintelligent decision has been made that, if realized, would subject the Americanambassador to extreme danger. I tried to object, but I was brushed aside in a most offensivemanner. It would be better to give an airplane to the terrorists and allow them to leavewith Mr. Dubs to a third country.”Tarun went upstairs to the second floor. Now he was the only person in charge ofthe operation that would decide the diplomat’s fate. Pausing, he gestured for everybodywho was not directly involved in the operation to walk away from the door.Amstutz understood that something was about to happen and that he would bebetter off not seeing or participating in the action. He felt lost and exhausted. He couldforesee what the ending would be. Looking at his feet, the diplomat walked down thehallway, away from the room.Officers in bulletproof vests and World War II era German helmets quietly andquickly approached the door of Room 117. One of them, the tallest, who wielded a308