107. Editorial Note
On December 19, Bulganin and Khrushchev concluded an official 5-day visit to Afghanistan. During the visit, the two Soviet leaders pledged $100 million in aid to the Afghanistan Government. In telegram 652 from Kabul, December 21, the Embassy evaluated the significance of the Bulganin–Khrushchev visit. “For all intents and purposes,” Ambassador Ward emphasized, “Afghan has become complete economic satellite of USSR.” Due to this “economic enslavement,” he added, the “Afghans will also be subject to Soviet whims and wishes politically—despite Daud and Naim protestations that no political conditions or implications exist.” (Department of State, Central Files, 033.6189/12–2155)