The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

danger to him. However, it is possible that Amin gave specific instructions to Shah Waliregarding the mode of communication he should use with Safronchuk. However, VasilyStepanovich remained on friendly terms with the prime minister himself.***On June 5, KGB operative Victor Bubnov arrived at a meeting with Osadchiy. Whilethe chief was talking on the phone, Victor laid three notes out on the desk in front of him.After Osadchiy finished his telephone conversation, Victor began speaking.“Yesterday I had a meeting with ‘Mahmoud.’ According to him, a serious rupture isabout to occur in the upper echelons of the Khalqis.”As soon as the chief heard these words, he picked up the phone and dialed anumber.“Boris Semyonovich, may we come by your office? Bubnov has some importantinformation.”“Please come,” replied Ivanov.Bubnov picked up his notes and put them into the side pocket of his sports jacket.Sighing, he followed Osadchiy into the general’s office.Victor left the notes in his pocket so that no one could accuse him of not followingthe correct protocol for covert activities, or of a lapsing memory.“Boris Semyonovich, yesterday I met with my trusted agent Mahmoud. According tohim, and he has never given us bad intelligence, a serious rupture is gestating in the highestechelons of Khalq.”“Wait a minute, Victor Andreyevich,” interrupted Ivanov, gesturing to Bubnov tostop speaking.430