The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

was inflicting harm, and that as a result of it, party discipline was deteriorating and theinfluence of the party in the country was weakening.When recalling his conversation with the department head, Starostin grew sad.General Polonnik had no expertise in the Middle East. His previous work involved theUnited States.Despite his inexperience in Middle Eastern affairs, Polonnik lectured Valery duringthat memorable presentation: “You should be thinking about applying yourself harder toachieve the main goals of Soviet intelligence, rather than focusing on the miscalculations ofSoviet advisers in the DRA. Afghan domestic problems are not so important for us. Undercurrent conditions they will be successfully resolved through the comprehensive assistanceof Soviet advisors. The office of our representative in Kabul, which is working directly withAfghan special services, is in a much better position to gather information about domesticissues than the Kabul Residency. KGB operatives, and you in particular, must focus onworking against the main enemy and the Chinese. Nobody yet cancelled this fundamentalgoal of Soviet intelligence. I recommend that, upon your return to Kabul, you organize areception. Invite diplomatic representatives who work at your level, at the level of secondand third secretaries, attachés. There are funds available for such a gathering. Put forwardan initiative of creating a club of young diplomats. Intensify your contacts withrepresentatives of Western countries. We badly need agents among Americans andrepresentatives of other countries, members of NATO. If you manage to recruit a strongAmerican or Chinese agent, I promise you an award.”Having safely made it to Kabul, Starostin immediately went to the resident. Osadchiylistened to Starostin’s report about his meetings and conversations at the Foreign Ministry465