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September 13, 1979

CPSU CC Politburo Decisions on Afghanistan (excerpts)

Ratified the following directive to the ambassador in Kabul:


First. The ambassador has been commissioned to meet with Taraki and Amin and urgently express the hope that they will both demonstrate a sense of responsibility to the revolution. In the name of saving the revolution, they must come together and act in concord from a position of unanimity. A rift in the leadership would be fatal to the revolutionary cause and the Afghan people.


If Amin does not consent to a joint meeting with Taraki, then, with Taraki's agreement, visit Amin separately and convey to him the same message.

 

Second. Guide yourself by the fact that we cannot take it upon ourselves to arrest Amin with our own battalion force, since this would be a direct interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and would have far-reaching consequences. Indeed, this is practically unfeasible.


(Note: the second part of the telegram, in addition to ambassador [A.M.] Puzanov, was also sent to [Ivan] Pavlovski, [B.S.] Ivanov, and [L.N.] Gorelov.)

CPSU CC Politburo Decisions on Afghanistan (excerpts) calling on Puzanov to meet with Taraki and try to mend the rift between Taraki and Amin

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APRF, from notes taken by A. Dobrynin and provided to Norwegian Nobel Institute; provided to CWIHP by O.A. Westad, Nobel Institute; translation for CWIHP by D. Rozas.

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2011-11-20

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