The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

leadership has thoroughly and comprehensively studied the situation, and concluded thatany failure will mean the failure of the April Revolution, the loss of Afghanistan as our ally,and the inevitable appearance of imperialist forces in Kabul. All of that calls for such adecision as ours.”“Do you realize how the citizens of Afghanistan will perceive me if I become thehead of state at the same time as your tanks appear?” Karmal’s gaze was fixed sternly uponthe visitor.Kryuchkov seemed to feel uncomfortable, and gave Alexei Petrov, who wasinterpreting their conversation, a disapproving look. Alexei Petrov shrugged and quietlysaid, as if speaking to himself, “Yes, in such a case, he will not gain popularity among theAfghan people.”Kryuchkov was not prepared for such a turn in conversation and tried to adjourn it.“Let’s hope that we will not have to settle for such extreme measures. Judging from theinformation that I have, everything is ready for the action in Kabul. I only arrived here towish you good luck, and to assure you on behalf of the Central Committee, our party, and itsPolitburo, that we intend to fully support your efforts to re-establish Lenin’s norms of partylife and to cleanse your party of traitors and adventurists.”“Thank you,” said Karmal, gently taking Kryuchkov’s hand in both of his.Now that only a few hours remained before the departure, Karmal’s mood wasdarkened by a vague anxiety. This anxiety was unrelated to the forthcoming danger or thepossibility of Amin ordering their plane to be shot down before it landed, or simplyarresting them upon arrival. No, he was disturbed by the possibility of becoming anapparent puppet of the Kremlin by appearing on the throne accompanied by Soviet tanks.671