Crossing the River Kabul by Kevin McLean

Author:Kevin McLean
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HIS026000 History / Middle East / General
ISBN: 2016056610
Publisher: Potomac Books
Published: 2017-04-07T04:00:00+00:00

In September, as the country spiraled out of control, Taraki traveled to Moscow at Russia’s insistence. In his absence his deputy prime minister, Hafizullah Amin, seized control of the government. Taraki immediately returned to Kabul, riding to the Presidential Palace with the Russian ambassador, Alexander Puzanov, on a road that was strewn with flower petals—a token of welcome from Amin. Puzanov and Taraki met with Amin, seeming to accept Amin’s presidency, and agreed to meet with him again to discuss the new situation.

The night before the meeting, Amin received a coded message saying Taraki intended to kill him. Amin told people he could trust in the military and security forces about the plot and called Puzanov to express his concern. Puzanov assured him that there was no need to worry—Russia would guarantee his safety.

Taraki arrived at the meeting with several men. As Amin approached to greet him, one of Taraki’s men pulled out a gun. One of Amin’s men jumped in front of Amin and was shot and killed. Taraki fled. He was captured a short time later.

We passed the hours in our living room listening to Radio Kabul. Taraki had resigned “because of bad health and nervous weakness,” the announcer said. A few weeks later Taraki was “definitely sick.” Then, at the beginning of October: “We are sorry to report that Nur Mohammad Taraki has died of a serious illness.” Everyone in Kabul knew Taraki had been executed.

“Taraki was no good,” Uncle Ali said. “Amin has good intentions and will be good for Afghanistan.” Baba gave his much younger brother a disgusted look. Ali continued, “I’ve known Amin all my life, and he’s not a KGB puppet like Taraki was. He’s a Nationalist and has only Afghanistan’s interest at heart.”

My father raised himself slightly in his bed. “Pashtuns are naturally independent people who place themselves and their interests first. Amin is trying to make Afghanistan into Russia, and we are not Russia.”

“That is only by necessity,” Uncle Ali persisted. “Like Daoud, Amin is concerned about Pashtunistan and still believes the only hope is with Russia’s help. Say what you will, but I tell you Amin is not on Russia’s side.”

“True,” said Baba, “and that is why the Russians will take care of him. He’ll be dead in a month.” For once Baba was wrong—it took the Russians a little longer.

After the attempt on his life, Amin moved his family out of the Presidential Palace to the Queen’s Palace. The Queen’s Palace had been constructed on a knoll for protection—as much fortress as palace—and was heavily guarded by Amin’s tanks. Afghans were told to cover their windows with cardboard at night so they would not be targets for helicopters and jets. We all knew only Russians flew helicopters and jets.

Toward the end of December 1979 three Russian army divisions massed on Afghanistan’s northern border. On December 26, 1979, hundreds of Russian planes appeared in the skies above Kabul—the “Sky Bridge.” Amin knew this buildup of Russian forces was not to protect him, as Russia claimed, but he could do nothing.

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