In all probability, in such a forum, he could have been introduced to Valderano by somebody of the calibre of a former
British ambassador at Kabul, who, as an aside, could well have added his own personal endorsement, to the effect that, in the vituperative Afghan snake-pit, Kakojan Niazi was refreshingly apolitical and had been involved at the sharp end from the very beginning.

Kakojan Niazi would have missed no opportunity to insinuate the names of common acquaintances met at other conferences held in Geneva, London, New York or elsewhere.

Whatever the facts, his credentials were deemed to be beyond reproach. With such a prestigious name and the national flag of Germany flying on the visiting card, who indeed would have the temerity to question them? Let alone make so bold as to ask to meet a fellow German member of the Foundation? Furthermore, Kakojan Niazi spoke excellent German and the Bonn address can only have added to the good impression. He was reading German law and may
even have worn a western-style suit, as opposed to the more alarming Afghan garb.

The man filled the need. He was just the type of operator for whom the Anglo-American ‘cousins’ were on the look out. At the time, he must have been part of an Afghan élite, not to be labelled as a political hothead. His sobriety would have stood out amongst all those‘wild and woolly’ leaders.

The upshot was that Valderano was sufficiently taken with Kakojan Niazi to invite him to visit him in London. There he would have been wined and dined to death like Pocohontas, by all the right ‘OK’ people from both Houses of Parliament and, who knows, White’s Club itself.

What is certain is that after first introducing him to Sir John Biggs-Davison, Valderano saw fit to introduce him to all and sundry in both Houses of Parliament; he did likewise amongst his extensive connections in the American House of Representatives and the Senate. Then he wrote a letter of introduction to Professor Alan Sabroski, the Director of Strategic Studies at the American Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Since Valderano’s purpose was without any doubt to do everything possible to help the Afghans in their efforts to expel
the Soviets from Afghanistan, a specific introduction was given for Niazi to meet Senator John Tower. His relevance was as Secretary of Defense, Senate Armed Forces Committee, Washington, D.C. None of us cares to be told we may have been hoodwinked; and certainly not for eight years by the wily Pathan. The larger the ego, the harder it falls. It was going to need very careful attention.