The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

Ivanov hesitated. There was a silence in the room, as Andropov’s envoy was not in ahurry to voice his conclusion.Summing up the conversation, Boris Semyonovich said to Osadchiy: “Please preparea cable to the Center. Address it to Andropov. The telegram should contain all of theinformation relayed by Victor Andreyevich as well as the essence of your analysis. Pleaseinclude what Sarwari told Leonid Pavlovich in early May. I will sign it.”Ten days later, more information about the deepening fissures among the Khalqielite arrived from Mahmoud. Now, according to the agent, the anti-Amin group had beenformed and included Head of AGSA Sarwari, Minister of Defense Watanjar, Minister ofCommunications Gulabzoi, and Minister of the Interior Mazdouryar. Demonstratively, thefour ministers refused to work with Amin and addressed Taraki directly on all questionsand issues. Moreover, Hafizullah Amin began to avoid having any meetings or contacts withWatanjar. Once, Taraki, noticing that Amin was absent from a meeting of the RevolutionaryCouncil, called him: “Comrade Amin, this is not the first time you have been absent from ameeting of the Revolutionary Council, and other such meetings. What is the reason for yourabsence?”“Watanjar said that if he sees me anywhere, he will kill me immediately,” Aminresponded, sounding insulted.“Well, Watanjar is a serious man. If he has so promised, then he would certainly gothrough with it,” Taraki responded, and smiled at the members of the RevolutionaryCouncil.“But under these circumstances, I cannot fulfill my responsibilities,” continuedAmin.436