The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

two-room apartment, located in the embassy compound, for the night. “It isn’t spacious, butit is secure,” Mikhail explained. He knew that Valery lived in a two-story mansion in thedistrict of Karte Seh. Not only was the Parliament of Afghanistan located near Valery’shome, but the houses of Minister of Defense Ghulam Hayder Rasouli and Vice-Premier andMinister of Finance Abdul Illah also were located nearby. Mikhail understood the potentialdanger for his friend of living proximate to those in Daoud’s closest circle.“Thank you, Misha,” replied Starostin. “I will discuss it with my wife.” He shook thehand of his diplomat friend sincerely.While Valery was talking with his friends, the car with his GRU colleagues screechedto a halt in front of the embassy. The gates opened immediately and the car peeled into thecompound. The officers jumped out and dashed into the building where Pechenenko,beside himself with anxiety, awaited them. The arriving officers briskly followed themilitary attaché and the resident upstairs to their offices without saying a word to anyone.The clock was ticking, but Victor and Yuri had still not returned from the city.Starostin headed back to the common area. An atmosphere of gloom pervaded the roomand hung on everybody’s spirits.Suddenly a wedding procession of honking cars festooned with flowers appeared onDarul Aman Road, passed the military convoy, and drove off towards the center of the city.Soldiers sitting in grim passivity on the edges of the tanks and armored vehicles wereenlivened for a few brief moments and waved to the newly-weds with a sort of childishenthusiasm.An encryption officer, who came to the common room in case the resident neededhis services, commented, “Just look at them. They could not find a better time to get53