The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

“The leadership of the Central Committee of the CPSU asked me to give youbrotherly communist greetings, and to assure you that it highly values your contribution tothe revolution,” added Pandzhsheri.“I will be sure to mention this in my address to the Afghan people, which will beaired tonight,” promised Amin. “Is the TV crew already here?”“They are waiting for you to finish,” explained Jandad. “They are downstairs on theground floor. The head of the Political Directorate of the army, Iqbal, is with them.”It was planned that Amin would explain the reasons for the appearance of the Soviettroops in Afghanistan during his address to the people. In particular, he would declare thatthey arrived according to the behest of the Afghan leadership, to protect the integrity andsovereignty of Afghanistan in the face of external aggression.After pilaf, everybody moved to a neighboring hall where tea was served. Someguests, citing urgent commitments, left for the city.Something strange happened then. Almost simultaneously, everybody began to feelill. They were overwhelmed by a terrible sleepiness, the likes of which nobody had beforeexperienced. Misak, the minister of finance, anxiously asked Amin, “Perhaps the food wasbad? Perhaps somebody added something to it?”“Don’t worry,” responded Amin. “My cook and the dieticians are Soviet. They testevery dish before it is served.”Misak shrugged his shoulders, and, pinning himself against the walls, rushed outsidefor fresh air. He boarded a car that awaited him and drove to the ministry. Once there, heslipped into an armchair and fell into a deep oblivion.714