spring of 1984: A woman from the East ventured a daring escape over snowy mountains of the land of the Afghan mujahideen as a student dressed Kerstin Beck disappeared 25 years ago by. Kabul Pakistan - on foot and on horseback. And always in danger.
The story begins on 14 March 1984 in Kabul. It is the last day of the East German student, who then called Ken Beck, in the Afghan capital. For six months, the 24-year-old from the degree program Afghanist at Humboldt University in Berlin, lived there in order to improve their skills in the languages of Dari and Pashto. This is part of the course. Now they will depart with the other six students of their group again.
But Ken Beck will not go back. And therefore pursued an incredible plan: Using locals guide you will walk into Pakistan. The border is porous there and overcome daily problems, it had been assured in Kabul. So they want to risk it: Over the Hindu Kush to freedom - by a country that is occupied by Soviet troops. And in exceptional condition.
Kerstin Beck leaves in the evening before leaving their quarters in the upmarket district of Wasir Akbar Khan. Only a few things in the luggage and passport before cinema Sainab she waits for Assad-Ullah, a field commander of Mujahideen, the names of the Afghan rebels. Shortly you get the idea to blow off all that eating just anything in the pizzeria Tasa Gul, who made the contact. Because the curfew begins a 22 clock, no one would be suspicious.
But then she gets to Assad Ullah in the car, uncertain as to whether one can trust each other. In his mother's house in the suburbs it is well received. The women ask the East Germans surprised: "Why do you want to go to Pakistan," Because she would not return to the GDR. ? Governance there, the Communists "nods as Kevin, is set for them:" It is good that you've done with communism conclusion. "This sentence will hear it more often. He seems like a solution. One that everyone understands.
On the morning of 14 March, at 6.30 clock goes wrong with the car. Kevin Beck has swapped jeans and sweaters for a burqa. In controls it should be a Tajik cousin That issue to explain her accent. At 8.45
are two clock insecure students before the security chief of the East German embassy in Kabul and stammer that Kerstin Beck is gone. "What's gone?" The security chief snaps at her, "you shall fly home in two hours." Reluctantly, the two talk of friends who have Kerstin in Kabul, and in the West German Embassy. This is strictly prohibited. The security chief, sent a telegram to East Berlin and alerted Afghan authorities. Can stop the clock by 10 to start a machine to India and check the passengers. That would be the obvious way to escape.
has at this time Kerstin Beck reached the mountains near Kabul, passing the last army post. It continues on a bumpy road. "Now we are in the free area," said Assad-Ullah. "This rule the mujahideen." On a farm in Deh Musahee they stop. will lead them now, they are members of the Islamic revolutionary movement with Assad-Ullah and used the money to offer Kerstin - Four men - Atta, Ali, Majid and Rulam. The dismissive gesture. "If you are in Germany, stories in newspapers and on television about the struggle and what you have seen on the road. Just tell the truth. "
The women in the farm concerned about Kerstin. "Girl, the way is very exhausting. drawing up warm on some passes are still snow covered. "Atta, the leader, holding a horse by the bridle, it should carry them through difficult passages. Kerstin Beck hesitates. Looking at the weapons she remembers that she has entrusted these people their lives. But now there is no going back.
come the evening, they in the village of Malang Logar Valley. The student is exhausted. After the prayer, it is tea, bread and soup. The people are polite and ask the attendant: "Is she a Muslim" - "No, a Christian, but she wants to be Muslim," Ali replied. The fact that Kevin is not one and the other will not be using it conceals. Your God-fearing Companion would not understand.
The next day, Kevin Beck nor time is awakened. As they get ready for women to continue the march does, she does, what living in poor conditions, the Afghans outside Kabul. Not much time for breakfast, Atta forced to leave.
sends the East German Embassy in Kabul, meanwhile, again a telegram to East Berlin. Although the authorities had erected roadblocks, the student was found. The review of the hospitals did not have shown anything. The authorities wanted to expand the search to move to Pakistan.
noon torments the fugitive a very steep, rocky ridge high. Slowly she realizes that she has underestimated the strain. The fact that she has no idea what awaits her yet. On the other hand, she is fascinated by the beauty of the mountains that seem endless. "Does your family know that you go to Pakistan?" Asks Rulam, the youngest of her companions, suddenly. Kelly shakes her head. You can imagine what trouble getting their parents in East Berlin that way. The fact that the Stasi will interrogate them. That they are faced with the decision to secede from her daughter or to lose their jobs. I must think of me says to Kevin Beck. It's about my life and I have I do not attribute this situation. The parents have worked in East German embassies as administrative staff and drivers. As a child Kerstin was allowed to accompany them, in Iraq and Vietnam. Iraq sparked her love for the Orient and the professional archaeologist.
Despite the travel opportunities they would get it, she pushed himself to the East German relations: the intellectual narrowness of the permanent guardianship. Kerstin Beck saw no way that these conditions would change in the foreseeable future. She thought more likely to escape. But the inner-German border seemed insurmountable.
then it starts raining heavily to and to snow. Veils, harem pants, tights and cotton jacket are quickly soaked. Through the veil she can hardly see where they decease. She stumbles and falls. All power seems to have disappeared. She thinks only: "Stay where you are easy." And then again: "Do not you remember why you all have made to you that Atta, Rulam and the others do just for you?" So she called the companion to help.
wet, cold and tired, they finally reach the place Rodschan. Although it is considered rude, Kerstin may stretch their feet to the fire. They will sleep in the rooms of a mosque. The conversations revolve around religion. They want to know what she thinks of Islam. Also reveals Rulam, that has become of his interest in affection, Kerstin. The young woman is a reserved in all.
The 17th March is upon us. Two men carrying the weapons come to meet them and talk to Atta. "The village in which we now want to take a break, was bombed yesterday. There is nobody around, "he says. In fact, they find bomb remains with Russian letters. Kevin Beck is uncertain. All the way to have no sound of fighting, nor subject their soldiers are met. You want to believe the accounts of Afghans, but they also believed the GDR's propaganda that it is the mujahideen to counterrevolutionaries and bandits.
The East German Embassy East Berlin in Kabul reported extensively on the searches of the past two days. Any idea where the student resides, it has not still.
the late afternoon of 18 March is Ken Beck at the last summit. Atta has the border crossing: an old tea house. As they pass an abandoned farm, they face armed men in their way. Kerstin's companion unlock their weapons. She believes that everything is over. Fortunately, tempers cool. "They realize that you are a foreigner," said Atta. - "But why, I'm totally veiled," returns Kerstin. - "But your response and your attitude are very different from an Afghan woman. "
A similar incident happened to them once more on the Pakistani side. But as Ken Beck feels safer. And marvel at the bustle of the city Terimangal. After five days in the countryside that's hard to believe.
But nearly two weeks after they captured the headquarters of the Mujahideen. The leaders of the rival groups fighting over the young woman. Some want more hush money, another might be a KGB spy, another wants to get married Kerstin.
The Pakistani intelligence service, they asked again and again. Only when Asisullah Lodin, member of an influential Afghan Family in exile and political advisor of the Islamic Revolutionary Movement, she teaches in Peshawar, they can breathe.
What became of the crew?
gratefully adopted previously by their companions, who helped so much for granted. Rulam is the separation more difficult. A few days later, after the pledge by Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, include them in the Federal Republic to leave Pakistan. At home is now an arrest warrant for her, because she has to leave the GDR without permission.
On 14 April 1984, a month after her escape, Kerstin Beck is flying under a false name to Frankfurt. It fulfills their aides, and report on conditions in Afghanistan. But soon after leaves the public interest. Kelly takes on a degree in Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Heidelberg. In 1992 she married the German-Algerian Smail Maks, she has met in Syria during excavations. They had two children, the couple lives in France and only for one year in Hamburg.
In Afghanistan it was since the flight no longer, because they do not tempt fate again wants. But she wrote a book. Filmmakers interested in the material, but hesitation, because today is a hymn to the Mujahideen, the Taliban have become a part could arrive wrong. Says Ken Maksem: "Afghans today are in the same situation as 1984th Only the actors have been replaced. "
A few years ago until she has learned that Atta, Ali, Majid and Rulam were killed on their way back across the border and the pizza maker Tasa Gul in Kabul died in prison. She suspects that the intelligence agencies in the West, had got wind of their plan, but tolerated the escape in order to learn more about the mujahideen.
Source: http://www.welt.de
The story begins on 14 March 1984 in Kabul. It is the last day of the East German student, who then called Ken Beck, in the Afghan capital. For six months, the 24-year-old from the degree program Afghanist at Humboldt University in Berlin, lived there in order to improve their skills in the languages of Dari and Pashto. This is part of the course. Now they will depart with the other six students of their group again.
But Ken Beck will not go back. And therefore pursued an incredible plan: Using locals guide you will walk into Pakistan. The border is porous there and overcome daily problems, it had been assured in Kabul. So they want to risk it: Over the Hindu Kush to freedom - by a country that is occupied by Soviet troops. And in exceptional condition.
Kerstin Beck leaves in the evening before leaving their quarters in the upmarket district of Wasir Akbar Khan. Only a few things in the luggage and passport before cinema Sainab she waits for Assad-Ullah, a field commander of Mujahideen, the names of the Afghan rebels. Shortly you get the idea to blow off all that eating just anything in the pizzeria Tasa Gul, who made the contact. Because the curfew begins a 22 clock, no one would be suspicious.
But then she gets to Assad Ullah in the car, uncertain as to whether one can trust each other. In his mother's house in the suburbs it is well received. The women ask the East Germans surprised: "Why do you want to go to Pakistan," Because she would not return to the GDR. ? Governance there, the Communists "nods as Kevin, is set for them:" It is good that you've done with communism conclusion. "This sentence will hear it more often. He seems like a solution. One that everyone understands.
On the morning of 14 March, at 6.30 clock goes wrong with the car. Kevin Beck has swapped jeans and sweaters for a burqa. In controls it should be a Tajik cousin That issue to explain her accent. At 8.45
are two clock insecure students before the security chief of the East German embassy in Kabul and stammer that Kerstin Beck is gone. "What's gone?" The security chief snaps at her, "you shall fly home in two hours." Reluctantly, the two talk of friends who have Kerstin in Kabul, and in the West German Embassy. This is strictly prohibited. The security chief, sent a telegram to East Berlin and alerted Afghan authorities. Can stop the clock by 10 to start a machine to India and check the passengers. That would be the obvious way to escape.
has at this time Kerstin Beck reached the mountains near Kabul, passing the last army post. It continues on a bumpy road. "Now we are in the free area," said Assad-Ullah. "This rule the mujahideen." On a farm in Deh Musahee they stop. will lead them now, they are members of the Islamic revolutionary movement with Assad-Ullah and used the money to offer Kerstin - Four men - Atta, Ali, Majid and Rulam. The dismissive gesture. "If you are in Germany, stories in newspapers and on television about the struggle and what you have seen on the road. Just tell the truth. "
The women in the farm concerned about Kerstin. "Girl, the way is very exhausting. drawing up warm on some passes are still snow covered. "Atta, the leader, holding a horse by the bridle, it should carry them through difficult passages. Kerstin Beck hesitates. Looking at the weapons she remembers that she has entrusted these people their lives. But now there is no going back.
come the evening, they in the village of Malang Logar Valley. The student is exhausted. After the prayer, it is tea, bread and soup. The people are polite and ask the attendant: "Is she a Muslim" - "No, a Christian, but she wants to be Muslim," Ali replied. The fact that Kevin is not one and the other will not be using it conceals. Your God-fearing Companion would not understand.
The next day, Kevin Beck nor time is awakened. As they get ready for women to continue the march does, she does, what living in poor conditions, the Afghans outside Kabul. Not much time for breakfast, Atta forced to leave.
sends the East German Embassy in Kabul, meanwhile, again a telegram to East Berlin. Although the authorities had erected roadblocks, the student was found. The review of the hospitals did not have shown anything. The authorities wanted to expand the search to move to Pakistan.
noon torments the fugitive a very steep, rocky ridge high. Slowly she realizes that she has underestimated the strain. The fact that she has no idea what awaits her yet. On the other hand, she is fascinated by the beauty of the mountains that seem endless. "Does your family know that you go to Pakistan?" Asks Rulam, the youngest of her companions, suddenly. Kelly shakes her head. You can imagine what trouble getting their parents in East Berlin that way. The fact that the Stasi will interrogate them. That they are faced with the decision to secede from her daughter or to lose their jobs. I must think of me says to Kevin Beck. It's about my life and I have I do not attribute this situation. The parents have worked in East German embassies as administrative staff and drivers. As a child Kerstin was allowed to accompany them, in Iraq and Vietnam. Iraq sparked her love for the Orient and the professional archaeologist.
Despite the travel opportunities they would get it, she pushed himself to the East German relations: the intellectual narrowness of the permanent guardianship. Kerstin Beck saw no way that these conditions would change in the foreseeable future. She thought more likely to escape. But the inner-German border seemed insurmountable.
then it starts raining heavily to and to snow. Veils, harem pants, tights and cotton jacket are quickly soaked. Through the veil she can hardly see where they decease. She stumbles and falls. All power seems to have disappeared. She thinks only: "Stay where you are easy." And then again: "Do not you remember why you all have made to you that Atta, Rulam and the others do just for you?" So she called the companion to help.
wet, cold and tired, they finally reach the place Rodschan. Although it is considered rude, Kerstin may stretch their feet to the fire. They will sleep in the rooms of a mosque. The conversations revolve around religion. They want to know what she thinks of Islam. Also reveals Rulam, that has become of his interest in affection, Kerstin. The young woman is a reserved in all.
The 17th March is upon us. Two men carrying the weapons come to meet them and talk to Atta. "The village in which we now want to take a break, was bombed yesterday. There is nobody around, "he says. In fact, they find bomb remains with Russian letters. Kevin Beck is uncertain. All the way to have no sound of fighting, nor subject their soldiers are met. You want to believe the accounts of Afghans, but they also believed the GDR's propaganda that it is the mujahideen to counterrevolutionaries and bandits.
The East German Embassy East Berlin in Kabul reported extensively on the searches of the past two days. Any idea where the student resides, it has not still.
the late afternoon of 18 March is Ken Beck at the last summit. Atta has the border crossing: an old tea house. As they pass an abandoned farm, they face armed men in their way. Kerstin's companion unlock their weapons. She believes that everything is over. Fortunately, tempers cool. "They realize that you are a foreigner," said Atta. - "But why, I'm totally veiled," returns Kerstin. - "But your response and your attitude are very different from an Afghan woman. "
A similar incident happened to them once more on the Pakistani side. But as Ken Beck feels safer. And marvel at the bustle of the city Terimangal. After five days in the countryside that's hard to believe.
But nearly two weeks after they captured the headquarters of the Mujahideen. The leaders of the rival groups fighting over the young woman. Some want more hush money, another might be a KGB spy, another wants to get married Kerstin.
The Pakistani intelligence service, they asked again and again. Only when Asisullah Lodin, member of an influential Afghan Family in exile and political advisor of the Islamic Revolutionary Movement, she teaches in Peshawar, they can breathe.
What became of the crew?
gratefully adopted previously by their companions, who helped so much for granted. Rulam is the separation more difficult. A few days later, after the pledge by Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, include them in the Federal Republic to leave Pakistan. At home is now an arrest warrant for her, because she has to leave the GDR without permission.
On 14 April 1984, a month after her escape, Kerstin Beck is flying under a false name to Frankfurt. It fulfills their aides, and report on conditions in Afghanistan. But soon after leaves the public interest. Kelly takes on a degree in Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Heidelberg. In 1992 she married the German-Algerian Smail Maks, she has met in Syria during excavations. They had two children, the couple lives in France and only for one year in Hamburg.
In Afghanistan it was since the flight no longer, because they do not tempt fate again wants. But she wrote a book. Filmmakers interested in the material, but hesitation, because today is a hymn to the Mujahideen, the Taliban have become a part could arrive wrong. Says Ken Maksem: "Afghans today are in the same situation as 1984th Only the actors have been replaced. "
A few years ago until she has learned that Atta, Ali, Majid and Rulam were killed on their way back across the border and the pizza maker Tasa Gul in Kabul died in prison. She suspects that the intelligence agencies in the West, had got wind of their plan, but tolerated the escape in order to learn more about the mujahideen.
Source: http://www.welt.de
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