How did Najibullah destroy the plan for the meeting of the Soviet ambassador and general with Ahmadshah Massoud?
Author: Valentin Varennikov, * from the book “The Unique”, part 5.
...Looking at the pensive face of Yuliy Mikhailovich Vorontsov**, for some reason I remembered a curious story that concerned him and me. This happened after the withdrawal of the first stage of our troops, that is, in the fall of 1988. Considering the pressure from Moscow (especially the KGB and the Foreign Ministry) that the military should defeat the formations of Ahmad Shah Massoud, and personally destroy him, and bearing in mind that Najibullah was the primary source of such pressure, and also deeply understanding that a grave mistake is being made and an unforgivable strategic miscalculation is being made, I decided to meet with Ahmad Shah in person. In this regard, I set the task for our intelligence officers of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff to prepare such a meeting ...
... I summoned a lieutenant colonel to personally set the task of organizing my meeting with Ahmad Shah (the scout was "an insider" in the detachments of Ahmad Shah at the Salang pass). He came quietly and quietly introduced himself. The officer is above average height, 30–35 years old. We greeted each other (hard, dry, and strong hand). He invited him to sit down and began to consider. Once upon a time, black hair is already gray. The face and hands are swarthy. Facial features are thin, although the cheekbones are wide. The eyes are big and blue, like lakes in Karelia. Under the uniform, one can feel a strong downed body and steep shoulders. Holds very calmly, confidently, and evenly.
- Will you record?
- No, I will remember everything, - said the lieutenant colonel.
I decided to get straight to the point:
- I need to meet Ahmad Shah in person.
The lieutenant colonel has no emotions and no facial movement as if we were talking about some everyday topic. After a short pause, I added:
- The sooner such a meeting is organized, the better.
The lieutenant colonel, without gestures and without looking away, says:
– Massoud is in Panjshir now. But given that it changes its place almost daily, it will take at least two days to solve this problem.
- I agree. What, in your opinion, could be the conditions on the part of Ahmad Shah?
- The main thing is a meeting on its territory and without protection from your side. He will provide security.
– Will he be interested in the issues that I will raise?
- At first, I think it is necessary, in principle, to arrange a meeting with him. After obtaining his consent, then propose questions for discussion. He is very sensitive and if he is attacked at once with both, he may misinterpret your intentions.
- Good! It's decided.
- Permission to act?
Having received permission to carry out the planned plan, the lieutenant colonel left as unnoticed as he had come.
Thinking about the possible further development of events, I came to the conclusion that, of course, our ambassador Yuriy Mikhailovich Vorontsov, and Afghan President Najibullah should be informed about a possible meeting with Ahmad Shah Massoud. It is not good to organize such steps behind the back of the head of a state that is friendly to us, even if this head pathologically cannot stand Massoud. Everything must be honest and open.
In the photo: Najibullah and Valentin Varennikov (in the center)
In this regard, I went to Yuli Mikhailovich Vorontsov. I outlined the essence of the problem to him, i.e., the intention to meet with Ahmad Shah in order to agree with him on preventing a possible blockade by his troops of the Termez-Kabul road in the section of the South Salang pass. In exchange for this, we could assist in every possible way in resolving the following issues in his favor: complete cessation of all types of shelling (including aviation) of territories that are under the control of his detachments; providing humanitarian assistance to the population of these territories; the establishment of autonomy (as part of Afghanistan) of the northwestern part of the country, where Tajiks mainly live; preservation of this autonomy on the property rights of copies (mines) for the development of lapis lazuli and non-obstruction of its sale (export) outside of Afghanistan; participation of representatives of the autonomy in the composition of the central legislative, judicial and executive authorities; organizing the construction of schools, mosques, and hospitals on the territory of the autonomy; restoration of transport communications with the main settlements (and with the main city of the autonomy - air traffic). Some other questions were also mentioned.
Yuliy Mikhailovich "fired up" and resolutely declared that he also wanted to participate in this meeting, that is, the two of us should go to Ahmad Shah. Naturally, I began to dissuade him:
- Anything can happen. Up to the capture of hostages or execution. Cunning, unfortunately, is a characteristic feature of many leaders. It's one thing if I fall into this trap, and it's a completely different thing if the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Soviet Union to Afghanistan, who is also the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR, gets caught. No, It is impossible.
- Valentin Ivanovich, it is impossible otherwise. Is it for the Soviet ambassador to stand aside as an observer when the most important, actually strategic, task will be solved to create favorable conditions for Afghanistan? I just have to be part of it.
The more I dissuaded him, the more he pushed me. Finally, I went to the last step:
- Yuliy Mikhailovich, have you seen how they execute people, how they are quartered, or what remains after the execution? After all, this is horror. And how will Moscow regard this step? Of course, negatively. They will directly say that no one authorized him to do this, it is his own fault.
- I came to Afghanistan not to hide from dangers, but to pursue the policy of the Soviet Union to maximize the stabilization of the situation in this country, end the war and create a peaceful life. Peace and peaceful life in our neighboring state is the most important factor for our people. And the fact that someone somehow thinks about my act is their business. I am doing my duty and do not intend to call Moscow about my every step. By the way, have you informed your leadership that you intend to go to Ahmad Shah?
- No, no ... There is no such need. I haven't posted about this in the past either. They just won't allow it - you have to take responsibility. And for me, it is important to move forward as much as possible with the appeasement of Ahmad Shah and Najibullah.
- You see! And when we break through it together, there will be more chances.
- I agree.
In this regard, I gave additional instructions to the intelligence officer - the ambassador of the Soviet Union will also be at the meeting.
We went to Najibullah. I outlined to him, now Yuliy Mikhailovich and I, our plan of action, without touching upon specific questions. Having received us as cordially as always, Najibullah became more and more gloomy as I informed him. In order to somehow cheer him up, Yuliy Mikhailovich began to build "rosy" prospects, which eventually forced Najibullah to agree. Although he could not disagree, given that the proposal is being made at such a level. He, without his temperament, began to express his attitude on this issue. Averting his gaze somewhere to the side, he said that yes, of course, the issue was important, it was of paramount importance for Afghanistan and, first of all, for Kabul, that he (Najibullah) always drew the attention of Soviet friends to this problem, and that if the destruction of the gangs of Ahmad Shah did not work, then you can try this path. And he concluded: “If it works out, well, we will be glad.”
In the photo: Valentin Varennikov
When we left the President’s office and went by car to our place, Yuliy Mikhailovich could not stand it:
- He did not accept the idea, although he agreed. When can we have a meeting with Ahmad Shah?
- I think this week. As for "perception", that's to be expected. In Afghanistan, if the image of the enemy is created, then this enemy is to the end. Nobody and nothing will change that.
- It is desirable to resolve this as soon as possible with a meeting.
- Of course. We will try to do everything if we are not interfered with ...
Yuliy Mikhailovich looked at me questioningly. I replied: "That cannot be ruled out."
Two days later (as agreed), the scout reported that Ahmad Shah had a very positive attitude to the proposal for a meeting and asked that questions be sent to him advance, which was supposed to be discussed. What Yuliy Mikhailovich and I did. Of course, the condition was put at the head - to ensure unhindered guaranteed safe passage of any columns or individual vehicles through the Salang Pass.
Drawing up our proposals on issues that we will discuss with Ahmad Shah, Yuliy Mikhailovich offered to sign them. At the same time, they signed in Russian and English. Moreover, he put the embassy seal. All this has acquired a high-level official form. I gave this document to the intelligence officer and told him to verbally convey that we are ready for such a meeting on the terms of Ahmad Shah. That is, it determines the route of our advancement, and the time and place of the meeting. Yuliy Mikhailovich and I arrive in the same UAZ car without security, but with an interpreter. Thus, there will be four people with the driver.
Two days later, the meeting point becomes known to us (it is in a broken village at the entrance to the Panjshir Gorge). The time is set for the third day in the morning. This suited us just fine. I decided to send a UAZ to Jabalussiraj in advance, in which we would go, and we ourselves would drive to this point under guard early in the morning on the day of the meeting. In fact, it will take 40 minutes to get to Jabalussiraj, and then another 25-30 minutes by UAZ.
On the same day, as we were informed about the place and time of the meeting, Yuli Mikhailovich and I arrived at Najibullah and informed him. Outwardly, he treated everything calmly and approvingly. We have begun to probe the ground with respect to the issues that we intend to raise in a conversation with Ahmad Shah. Najibullah supported them. He never even tried to discuss at least some problem, which was unlike him. All accepted and wished success.
- Did you notice on what note Najibullah ended the conversation? I drew Vorontsov's attention.
- Wait and see. Let's not rush to conclusions.
“And yet it somehow obliges him ...
Yuliy Mikhailovich smiled but said nothing.
We started preparing for the trip. Of course, a number of measures had to be taken along the route from Kabul to Jabalussiraj to ensure that the ambassador traveled safely at the appointed time. Although, in principle, there were many "evil" gangs that were engaged in robberies on the road. There were also single "hunters" (or couples) who were waiting for some kind of prey.
Everything seemed to be developing normally. In the afternoon on the eve of our trip, the scouts reported Ahmad Shah's confirmation of their readiness to meet tomorrow morning. And in the evening, before sunset, they suddenly report to me: the place of the upcoming meeting and the entire surrounding area was bombed by planes of the Afghan Air Force. And that there are great sacrifices. Meeting canceled.
The premonition that had haunted me all this time that we might be interfered with was confirmed. I call Vorontsov. He is outraged. We are going to Najibullah (albeit late). He plays extremely dejected by this sad news and, in our presence, calls the commander of the Air Force, General Qadyr, and gives him a dressing down in accordance with all the rules. At the same time, he partly speaks Pashto, and partly Russian (Qadir knew Russian), including the following phrase: “I have Soviet comrades Ambassador Vorontsov and General Varennikov here nearby - I am ashamed in front of them for what your aviation has done. It's a shame. Tomorrow morning report who is responsible for this”.
In the photo: Yuliy Vorontsov
We went to the embassy with Yuliy Mikhailovich in the same car to discuss the situation and make a decision. Slamming the door, Vorontsov says in his hearts:
- That was to be expected. He is opposed to this meeting. And he gave the order to bomb everything.
- I am of the same opinion. I think that Najibullah will not "find" the guilty, but we cannot put up with this.
- Right. It is necessary to ask Ahmad Shah for a second meeting.
- I'll write him a note apologizing and suggesting a new meeting place.
Yuliy Vorontsov agreed. I tried to reorganize everything. Lieutenant colonel scout with a verbal answer from Ahmad Shah came only four days later. He said that Ahmad Shah was very indignant and even said that if they conduct an investigation, he can give the names of those Afghan Air Force pilots who bombed (he knew everything through his intelligence at the Air Force headquarters). And yet we organized a second meeting. But it also followed the same scenario, only long-range and rocket artillery acted instead of aviation. Everything was broken again. Again apologies. Two weeks later, with great difficulty, we again agreed to meet, this is the third time. And this meeting was canceled.
Yuliy Mikhailovich and I decided to abandon this idea and not even raise this issue with Najibullah.
Everything was clear. He told us in the eyes that he welcomed this action, and at the same time gave an order to prevent such a meeting. And the reasons are clear - personal hatred for Ahmad Shah.
* Valentin Ivanovich Varennikov (1923-2009) - Soviet military leader and Russian politician, army general (1978). Hero of the Soviet Union (1988). Head of the Control Group of the USSR Ministry of Defense in Afghanistan (1984-1989), Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces - Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR (1989-1991).
**Yuliy Mikhailovich Vorontsov (1929-2007, Moscow) - Soviet and Russian diplomat, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USSR and Russia to India, France, Afghanistan (1988-1989) and the USA.
