The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

“No,” objected Bogdanov. “His back story must be airtight. He should fly fromBagram to the Soviet Union covertly, without anyone knowing. There, he should receivedocuments from GKES * so that he can make a “clean” return to Afghanistan, with pots andpans and dietary recommendations as to how Comrade Amin should be fed.”“We are going to lose time,” Ivanov countered, but eventually agreed withBogdanov’s arguments.Several days later, a female dietician who had met Bogdanov by accident at theembassy happily informed him, “We have a new addition to our team. Remember, I told youthat we were expecting a cook to join us? He has arrived. He has been given an apartmentin Mikrorayon, and we are helping him get settled. He seems to be a capable specialist,although a bit shy. He doesn’t even feel like going outside.”“Shy? Good for him,” thought Bogdanov. “He should pretend that he is in Kabul forthe first time. Everything should seem strange for him. Better for him not to appear in thestreets unnecessarily, in case any of the Zenit guys see him. That could compromise theentire operation.”The next day, Bogdanov managed to establish a reliable connection with Amin’s“personal cook,” who began to transfer the necessary information regarding Amin’sschedule and diet, location of the rooms at the residence, and the sorts of guests who werevisiting. No other tasks were given to the cook as of yet. His hour had yet to arrive.Other options for the elimination of the Afghan leader, besides employing the “cook”as a “deadly weapon,” were being considered. Demolition experts from Zenit were* The State Committee on Foreign Economic Relations; arrangements for business trips for civilian specialistswho were to live and work abroad would be processed here.659