28th April, 1978 - A Communist coup ends in the death of President Daoud Khan, who had been noted for his strong reformist policies. The new Democratic Republic of Afghanistan is headed by Nur Muhammed Taraki. 20th March, 1979 - In the light of numerous rebellions in Afghanistan, Taraki asks the USSR for troops, initially Premier Kosygin refused, but later agreed to send some troops to defend Kabul as well as huge amounts of food aid. He also advises Taraki to get rid of Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin, of whom he suspects of plotting against him.