Afghanistan, July-August 1969 – Page 5

24.7.69

To Pal-i- Khummri in the evening.
Another outrageous soldier. His duty was to
prevent cars and lorries continuing up the
main road where they interfere with road-makers
and to channel them down a dusty track.
Two lorries disobeyed and so did a little
car. He attacked us with a wooden hatchet.
Bull-necked wide staring eyes frantic with
frustrated manhood he hurled out of a blue
sky in his dust coloured uniform. Whites
of his eyes flashed. Finally appeased he broke
into tears as we were allowed by the officials
to pass. Tried to push the car back single-handed.
These young men are ordered to guard
their positions on their lives. They are told to
assume responsibility for the first time, and when
it starts to go wrong  their only recourse is
to violence. Something clicks in Pathan and its
too late.