The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

The helicopter brought Zaplatin to Bagram in twenty minutes. The plane from theSoviet Union was four hours late, and took even longer to refuel. Zaplatin didn’t leave untilthe early morning hours. Once in Tashkent, he boarded a military Il-18. He was the onlypassenger on board. From the airport, he was driven to GlavPUR, the main PoliticalDirectorate of the Soviet army and navy, where he was received by General Epishev. Heasked Zaplatin all sorts of questions about Afghanistan for two hours, dutifully taking notesin his notepad. Not once did he mention his daughter. He then said, “I must attend ameeting in the Central Committee. Wait for me here.”Taking advantage of the pause, Zaplatin called his daughter.“Is everything okay with you?”“Yes, everything is fine, why do you ask?”The next morning, Epishev brought Zaplatin to the minister of defense. Ustinoventered the reception room together with Ogarkov. He was wearing an overcoat.“First, you should report everything to Comrade Ogarkov; then, when I return, I willinvite both of you to the meeting,” said the minister.It seemed to Zaplatin that Ogarkov had treated his analysis with sympathy andunderstanding, although he did not volunteer his opinion. Then the minister returned fromthe Central Committee. He asked Ogarkov, “Have you discussed the situation with ComradeZaplatin?”“Yes. All of the issues have been discussed, but Comrade Zaplatin remains fixed inhis opinion against military intervention.”Ustinov turned to the adviser and looked at him with a heavy gaze. “Explain why,”he ordered.644