July 4, 1981
Record of a conversation between Cheremnykh, Chief Military Adviser Mayorov, and N. A. Nur, Karmal’s deputy
Nur: Respected comrades, I invited you here to inform you that the CC PDPA Politburo has entrusted me with responsibility for the armed forces. Now we will pursue the general policy of the Party in the armed forces together with Zeray and you, the military advisers…(Seriously, the thought came to mind: “Think quickly!”). As regards our comrades the Minister of Defense and Gol Aka, they as before will perform their responsibilities in their positions. They are dealing with their tasks and you, the Soviet military advisers, will help them. We are confident of this…
//Author then notes PDPA infighting//
Mayorov – You don't want to observe the laws but a danger hangs over the Revolution.
Nur - We will observe the laws but it will require time to observe them. I well understand and ask you to excuse me for sometimes speaking in an elevated tone, but the laws should conform to the situation.
Mayorov – What situation?…You're facing a catastrophe! Understand this!
//Author then notes PDPA infighting//
Mayorov – You don't want to observe the laws but a danger hangs over the Revolution.
Nur - We will observe the laws but it will require time to observe them. I well understand and ask you to excuse me for sometimes speaking in an elevated tone, but the laws should conform to the situation.
Mayorov – What situation?…You're facing a catastrophe! Understand this!
This document reveals much disagreement between Soviet policy makers. Cheremnykh, Chief Military Adviser Mayorov, and N. A. Nur, Karmal’s deputy disagree over the responsbility to the armed forces.
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Cheremnykh, pp.225-26. Translated for CWIHP by Gary Goldberg.
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