اردو وسیاست در سه دهه اخیربه زبان انگلیسی / The Army and Politics

اردو وسیاست در سه دهه اخیر

به زبان انگلیسی

 

  بامسرت  فراوان اطلاع حاصل شد که یکی از مطرح ترین آثاری  که درپیرامون اوضاع وحوادث سیاسی – نظامی ، سه دههء اخیر افغانستان ( اردو وسیاست در سه دهه اخیر ) به خامهء زیبای سترجنرال ارکانحرب محمد نبی عظیمی نوشته شده است، توسط یکی از جوانان با احساس و و طنپرست جناب الیاس ادیب که درشهر لندن انگلستان زنده گی کرده وبه زبان ادبی انگلیسی کاملاً تسلط دارد، به زبان انگلیسی ترجمه شده است.

 

  درصحبتی که با آقای الیاس ادیب داشتم از وی پرسیدم که چه عاملی باعث شد تا شما کار پرزحمت و تا حدودی طاقت شکن این اثر حجیم را به عهده بگیرید؟ نامبرده گفت : به سبب این که من ازجمله آن جوانانی هستم که با خواندن نخستین صفحات  این کتاب از بیان حقایقی که درلابلای این اثرارزشمند نهفته است ، پاسخ بسیاری از سوالات خود را یافته ام  ونبود وکمبود آن را به ویژه برای جوانان هموطنم که با زبان مادری شان آشنایی کامل ندارند حس کرده ام. وازسوی دیگر تا جایی که من خبر دارم درحال حاضر این اثر منبع وچشمه یی است که نه تنها نویسنده گان افغانی اعم از موافقین و مخالفین نویسنده واثر چنجال آفرینش؛ بل نویسنده گان صاحب نام خارجی مانند لودویک آدمک در نوشته های شان از آن  به حیث مأخذ نام برده اند. ازسوی دیگر پس از حادثه یازدهم سپتامبر که توجه جامعه جهانی به کشور ما جلب شد و مردم جهان علاقه روز افزونی  به رویداد های گذشته و حوادثی که درحال حاضر درافغانستان رخ می دهد پیدا کردند، حیفم آمد که آنان از این منبع ومأخذی  که حقایق فراوانی را درلابلای صفحات پر شمارش گنجانیده وبا مراعات کامل عفت قلم – حتی نسبت به مخالیفنش -- به رشته تحریر امده است ، بی خبر بمانند. ( آقای الیاس ادیب درمورد ضرورت برگردانی این اثرمقدمه یی هم به زبان انگلیسی نوشته اند که درختم همین گزارش  به دسترس خواننده های عزیز قرار داده می شود. )

 

 از مترجم آگاه وجوان پرسیدم که تا جایی که می دانیم  ، دراردو وسیاست واژه های فراوان  تخصصی ومسلکی نظامی وجود دارند که برای ترجمه دقیق آن به زبان های دیگر باید برگرداننده کتاب از اطلاعات کافی در مورد واژه ها وترمنولوژی نظامی برخوردار باشد؛ ولی شما که به جز خدمت زیر پرچم در زمان حاکمیت حزب دموکراتیک خلق افغانستان با مسایل نظامی سرو کاری نداشته اید چگونه توانستید این مشکل را حل کنید. ازسوی دیگرآیا ترجمه زبان فخیم ادبی وشستهء مؤلف کتاب ، دشواری دیگری نبود برای کار ترجمه ؟

 

 درپاسخ آقای الیاس چنین گفت : بلی هردوی این پرسش ها دشواری های معین و دست وپاگیری بودند برای کار ترجمه ؛ ولی من با خونسردی وشکیبایی فراوانی این دشواری ها را از میان برداشتم. راستش اگر روز ها برای تأمین اعاشه زنده گی خانواده ام درتلاش بودم ، درعوض شب های فراوانی را به خاطر ترجمه این اثر گرانسنگ به صبح رسانیده ام و آن چه را که شما می بینید ثمرهء کار وتلاش پنج سال از بهترین سال های زنده گی ام می باشد. بلی، دشواری هایی بود ولی به کمک دوستان نظامی هموطن واستادان دانشگاهی که درآن جا درس خوانده بودم ، این مشکلات را حل نمودم ومی توانم به شما اطمینان بدهم که از نظر دوستان وآشنایانی افغانی و انگلیسی ، ترجمه کتاب روان و دقیق صورت گرفته وامانتداری کامل درآن مراعات شده است.  درحال حاضر نمونه یی ازآن به همت اقای انجنیر حمایت عزیزی دردسترس یکی از استادان فاضل دانشگاهی درامریکا قرارگرفته است تا درزمینه معرفی آن به علاقمندان تاریخ سال های پسین کشور درجامعه روشنفکری ودانشگاهی امریکا مساعدت نماید.

 

   درفرجام این گزارش کوتاه می خواستم درحالی که به مثابه یکی از دوستداران کتاب مستطاب اردو وسیاست در سه دهه اخیر افغانستان ازهمت والا ،  زحمات شباروزی و کار مثمر و پیگیر این مترجم جوان وبااحساس اظهار امتنان نموده و پیروزی های بیشتر وی را در عرصه ترجمه آثار به درد بخور وبا ارزش دیگر آرزو می برم ، اینک بخشی از این ترجمهء روان و دقیق کتاب اردو وسیاست را به زبان انگلیسی تقدیم می کنم. دراین جا این نکته را گفتنی می پندارم که ناشرین ویا دوستانی که آرزوی چاپ ترجمه انگلیسی اردو وسیاست را داشته باشند می توانند به آدرس مترجم که به  زودی نشر خواهد شد از طریق ایمل تماس بگیرند.

                                                                                                                              شمس حیدری

 

 

 

 

From here…
At the distant bloody horizons of the East
Some plentiful / plenteous stars
In the clear blue skies of a holy land
Are eye-catching…
That's my land of birth… the bleeding land!
The place where based upon my right of birth
With little happiness and infinite endless sufferings…
I will not forget…
My beloved land, my love, my mother!
I am devoting “our” stories of pain, grief and agony to you.


Nabi Azimi



The Army and Politics

Volume 1

Ascension

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE AFGHAN ARMY BETWEEN (1963-1993)?


Foreword 

 
It is said that telling lies, spreading propaganda and creating fictional versions of legendry to be accepted as truth can only occur when those who witnessed and experienced what actually took place choose to stay silent, for whatever reason.
It has been many years since the collapse of the Republic of Afghanistan and its powerful army - years in which I somehow vainly kept silent, believing that one day, sooner or later, an independent, free thinking writer would dig up the truth behind the massive collapse of a once ancient and proud nation, and the huge fallout which followed, by getting in touch with those witnesses and bystanders who knew the truth - and were at last willing to divulge the undiscovered secrets to a nation of people, desperate to find out.
I've read many books regarding what actually happened during the past three decades in Afghanistan, but none of them ever satisfied my thirst for the truth. Some analysed the military and political events during this period in Afghanistan from their own narrow, one-sided, grudge and hostile viewpoints, invariably anti-Russian and anti-Communist in sentiment and detail.
Some preferred only their own personal, partial, group, family, tribal, and language interests which is why their accounts contain a great deal of fanatical prejudice in the very first lines. 
Some thoughtless writers also, having no real idea of the events and incidents that took place during this time, have carelessly made up stories based on hearsay and exaggeration and have had the nerve to call it history. In doing this they have willy nilly crucified their own work and the traditions of honest journalism.
Recently, writing Afghan memoirs has become fashionable. Some write with their eyes closed and some, with dark consciences, telling rousing lies, trying to magnify events. By this they hoped to please the former ruling Mujahideen or the Taliban when they were in power. Having no fear of panegyrising and verbally abusing certain individuals, these so-called writers have brought shame and disgrace upon other writers and the whole of humanity through their lack of conscience or self-respect.
I have undoubtedly, at the same time, also come across some however rare but pure and honest pieces of literary work which have been fully truthful and accurate. 

(1)

I believe that it is difficult for anyone to accomplish writing about a significant era of history because of the high standard of professionalism and historical knowledge that is requires. Therefore, not everyone can claim to be a historian simply by writing about a period of history since historical writing must be based on concrete evidence, and not on hearsay.
A valid historian must have a comprehensive, factual knowledge of the events and incidents he chooses to write about, as well as an honest conscience and a mind free from deception and hypocrisy. A valid historian must be impartial and possess, in analysis, a rare honesty and independence.
Today's historians are different from the historians of yesteryear, who feared their lords, kings and masters, and as such, wrote only that which met with their master's favour regardless of the principles and rules of the art of writing history.
A historian today needs to be courageous and intelligent and in possession of thoroughly researched information to enable them to present readers with inevitable and authentic evidence.
A valid historian never uses his own fanaticism, fantasy tales, imagination and self-belief to record historical events. This is the way of story telling, but, it belongs to the far past by word of mouth, from the past, by which the actual content of events became subtly changed as the story was relayed from one person to another.
A historian must not use flattery or lie about facts and realities. They must write convincingly and truthfully, satisfying the reader with diligently researched factual information.
In this book, I do not claim that all the bitterness and sweetness of the facts and realities of the past as well as of those during our reign I have chosen to write about have been thoroughly reflected and that my account is completely error free, because my long lasting memories from those days are like terrifying nightmares which will stay with me forever.
It is natural that the majority of these memories stand out in my mind and in my soul in an unforgettable way - and never lose their effectiveness. But, through the intervals of time, which have elapsed during those terrifying moments in Afghanistan's history, which I have written about, there are many other incidents I may not be aware of, which may cause some misjudgment in the mind of the reader.
My personal immense endeavor in this respect has been to reduce those intervals as much as possible by studying the work of other writers. Since this book is not anything more than an eventful piece of writing, I would like to take this opportunity to present it as a gift to those who may wish to research in the future about the rise ascension and fall of the previous Afghan army.
It contains the words by my colleagues, sincere and intimate friends, and some of the country's well-respected dignitaries including Serdar Mohammed Dawood, Dr Najeebullah and Babrak Karmal etc and other powerful figures of integrity whose accounts are pricelessly retained in this book.
These words have also been enriched by my own notes from my period of national service, which has remained with me as a hugely valuable treasure during my migration.
The core of this book is mainly based on my own personal impressions, which I have expressed her in words, faithfully, sincerely, from the heart - the words on an honest soldier with a conscience...
In the introduction context of this book, there is a brief explanation about the gradual development of the Afghan Army and the role of politics within it. Undoubtedly, this image is incomplete and I'm the first to admit it.  

(2)

After that, I have talked of the first coup of Afghan Army up until the very recent political changes, incidents and events, as I was myself eye witnessing them being involved in the heart of the events, and even in some cases I had the key role in managing them. If readers find my name mentioned in this book excessively within the context of this book is because of the inevitability issue and dialectic and logical interconnections of the incidents and their quotes, but neither because of any sort of selfishness nor for any exaggeration purposes.
This piece doesn't reflect, neither it supports any party, organisation, group or individual's opinions and ideas. It is also free from any verbal assaults and abuses on others. But, if there has been any pauses over the specifications of some important individuals, is again due to that “inevitability” because, knowing those great figures and personalities would resolve a lot of questions which consequently brings up the question of “Why did all this happen?”
The writing of this book was accomplished around the days the previous President of Afghanistan Dr. Najeebullah was executed by the Taleban and Babrak Karmal who also passed away soon after.
It is a huge pity that we do not have them with us any more so that they could indicate the correct and incorrect points on this piece.
But, fortunately, there are still many magnanimous great personalities from the era of our power who could spell out and indicate the correct and incorrect points on it.
I take responsibility over what I have said in this book and am always prepared to defend the Mohammed I am very much hopeful that my friends, my kind nation, clear sighted personalities and even oppositions would assist me in enriching this piece for its second by expressing their opinions, criticisms and comments.

Wishing for a permanent peace and stability throughout our beloved country of Afghanistan!


With reverence,

General Mohammed Nabi “Azimi”

June 1999

(3)


Introduction


 The Afghan Army through the course of history 
until
The Coup of July 1973


The history of Afghanistan which begins from the dawn of the worldwide civilisation has a deep and strong connection with the history of genesis and evolvement of armies and regiments born one after another fighting for the sake of defending their people, for freedom and independence of this land from the warriors and gladiators who were moving across towards the wealthy and legendary land of India, which cannot be regarded to as separate from one another.
When we talk of our people's resistance and perseverance against the attacks of the Sakayis, Partts, the White Hoons, Mongols, Tatars and Uzbeks, in fact we talk of those public troops, regiments and armies that were formed by the gatherings of young, dauntless and liberal knights who adorned golden pages of history by their epic and bravery. Gradually, there were some top unique commanders born and grown up in the armies who then became well known and famous warriors.
Due to that age's circumstances these armies were rather plainly equipped. They were armed with bows and arrows, slings and stones, spears and swords to fight the enemies of their country's liberty.
But, pitifully and regretfully we do not as yet possess a more descriptive history about these brave liberal men and these resistant armies. 
Undoubtedly, it has been many centuries since the establishment of the first resistance armies followed by the formation of a powerful and honoured army in the eighteenth century under care of Meerwais Khan Hootaki. The centuries during which the Afghan battles and conflicts manifested against the occupying and aggressing forces, and in which the incidents and crimes of the centuries had been washed out by the chaste blood of freedom and human loving knights. But, once again, it is a pitiful and painful situation as we do not know much about these very sacrificed lives and these bloodshed heads and will never know as hoped. 

(4)

During the 18th century, the very first heralds and indications of a substantially fully sophisticated, qualified and magnitude army is recorded on our country's history which withstands and strives under the command of Meerwais “The Grand Father” against the massive occupying Iranian army. 
This history, however briefly, but with honesty and depositary, talks of the victories and won glories and honours of the Afghan Army. It also talks about the Army's rather basic weaponry and equipment and its brief and simple formations as well as introducing the famous commanding figures.
Shah Mahmood Hootaki is another war commander who has around twenty eight thousand troops under his control and fights in Gulna Abad area and consequently conquers Isfahan. His circle of battle fiercely threatens even the Russian and Turkish colonists. 
He won all these victories with such an army that consists of only a few fruitful heavy artilleries famously known as Zanboorak (Little Bee).
When we turn over the pages of history, we come across the name of Ahmad Shah nick named “BABA” (The Father), the brave Serdar and a great militant who founded a stable and centralised government in our country. This foundation of a new and powerful army played a significant role in terms of consolidating his reign and conquests.
It was him who associated those of the tribal troops along with the Royal Knights. With these expeditionary forces he invaded the land of India ten times. He succeeded in the “Battle of Paani Patt” and invaded Herat and Mashhad as well as liberating Balkh and Badakhshan from the hands of the local militants.
However, his battling style in India was unjust but, it was the necessity and need of that era.
It was him who presented his son Timor Shah with an army of seventy thousand troops with a sufficient quantity of equipment, heavy artillery and a great brave war commander such as Mohammed Jaan Khan. By this blessing and security of this sophisticated army Timor Shah managed to suppress revolts and protect the newly founded Kingdom of Abdaali. He also invaded Naishapoor and Mashhad and fought against the King of Bukhara. He reduced to obedience every one of them and preserved his father's territories and border integrity along with the political independence which highly promoted country's dignity and credit to such a point that the Sadozayi government was consequently considered as one of the most powerful forces in the East.
Regrettably, soon after his death, this greatly experienced and powerful army disintegrated away as a result of the discord, brother killing and greed of his sons and eventually was misused for fighting among themselves. Consequently, the national unity was damaged which caused the collapse of the Sadozayee's. Meanwhile, foreigners got the opportunity to interfere and infiltrate. The lack of a unified compact army resulted in disorder and anarchism until the emergence of Emir Doost Mohammed Khan's era.
In the second phase of his emirate, Emir Doost Mohammed Khan tried hard to create a disciplined army.

(5) 

At that time, the Disciplined Army of Afghanistan was called “The Official or Paid Knights” including the Afghan infantry and cavalry, Farseewaan, Farseewaan-i-Hazara and Uzbek whose number did not exceed 30,000. Emir Doost Mohammed Khan used this army to try to consolidate his power and protect his family. But, either he was not able or did not want to use The Afghan Army in the legitimate battles of independence against the British, nor did he use it to increase national unity and border integrity.
According to Meer Ghulam Mohammed Ghubar, it was during Emir Shir Ali Khan's power when the formation of a “permanent organised army” was accomplished and gradually developed. It also went through the military education. The army got militarily uniformed and gained discipline and organisation. The three infantry, cavalry and heavy artillery classes were established within The Army which settled down in the newly founded Sheerpoor Castle.
Deceased M. G. M. Ghubar writes: “The Army consisted of 57 infantry regiments, 20 cavalry regiments and 26 mountain, cavalry and elephant battalions totalling up to around 50,000 troops who were recruited permanently and in a modern style. In terms of the management of the Afghan Army there were Indian and British generals and officers being used within it in addition to the Afghan military officers such as Serdar Bahadur Khan, Fatih Ali Khan, Ghulam Naqshband Khan. 
The salary of the infantry individuals was seven Afghani rupees while the cavalry individuals were paid fourteen Afghani rupees. Even though, Shir Ali Khan's army was educated and experienced enough, due to his poor confidence and critical health condition which had been caused by the death of his ideal son Crown Prince Abdullah, he wasn't allowed to participate in the Jihad against The British. As such, Emir Shir Ali Khan with flurry and confusion moved to Tash-Qurghan and to Turkistan thereafter and consequently his den of army collapsed.
Emir Abdul Rahman Khan considered a special dignity for the formation of a permanent and organised army amongst all the other government affairs. He had devoted a once a week supervision on the invasion affairs. 
Meer Mohammed Sideeq Ferhang describes in his book (Afghanistan in the Last Five Centuries) the number of troops in that age as follows:           

Infantry Forces: 80 platoons, each platoon containing 700 troops, totalling 56,000 troops.
Cavalry Forces: 40 platoons, each platoon containing 400 troops, totalling 16,000 troops.
Heavy Artillery Forces: 100 batteries, each battery containing 100 troops, totalling 10,000 troops.

The Royal Guard:

Infantry: 4 platoons, each platoon containing 1000 troops, totalling 4000 troops.
Cavalry: 3 platoons, each platoon containing 800 troops, totalling 2400 troops.

Footnotes: