country reports *** rapports de pays€¦ · through allocation of grants for purchasing, for...

Document 24/SCEA-4

COUNTRY REPORTS

***

RAPPORTS DE PAYS

LIST / LISTE

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA / BOSNIE & HEZEGOVINE

Veterans Organization of the Srpska Republic

Organisation des combattants de la République Srpska

BULGARIA / BULGARIE

Bulgarian War Veterans Union

Union des vétérans des guerres de Bulgarie

CROATIA / CROATIE

Union of Associations of Croatian Defenders Treated for PTSD

Union des associations des défenseurs croates traités pour les troubles post traumatiques du

stress

FINLAND / FINLANDE

Disabled War Veterans Association of Finland

Association des invalides de guerre de Finlande

ISRAEL / ISRAËL

Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization

Organisation des invalides du Zahal

POLAND / POLOGNE

United Nations Peacekeeping Missions Veterans Association

Association des anciens combattants des missions de la paix des Nations Unies

PORTUGAL

Veterans League

Ligue des Combattants

SLOVENIA / SLOVENIE

Country Report

Rapport de pays

TURKEY / TURQUIE

Turkish War Veterans Association

Association des anciens combattants turques

WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION

24th

Meeting of the

Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)

Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019

INFORMATION ON WAR VETERANS’ ORGANIZATION OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

War Veterans’ Organization of Republika Srpska (BORS) gathers demobilized soldiers of Republika Srpska Army (soldiers from war in BiH 1991-1995). The Organization was established in 1993 and is comprised of 64 municipal/city war veterans’ organizations and 12 collective members. BORS gathers 140.000 members, of whom 32.000 are war invalids and 15.000 are members of families of fallen soldiers. The highest body of BORS is the Assembly comprised of 140 members, and President of BORS is at the same time President of the Assembly. The executive body is Presidency, comprised of 19 members, while there is Board of War Invalids, comprised of 15 members, and Board of Families of Fallen Soldiers, also comprised of 15 members. Objectives of BORS are improvement of economic and general social position of war veterans and their families, and preservation of heritage from the Homeland War. BORS is financed from the Budget of Republika Srpska. Since 2007, BORS, in cooperation with the RS Government, has been implementing the Program on Provision of Housing to Families of Fallen Soldiers and Families of War Invalids 1st – 4th Category that have not been provided proper housing. In the period 2008-2018, housing was provided to 3717 persons through allocation of grant financial assistance, while 2042 persons were provided apartments. In April 2019, the RS Government announced public call for housing allocation to persons who have not yet been taken care of, and received applications are being processed. Upon initiative of the BORS in 2018, the RS Government approved monthly financial allocation to war veterans older than 65 who, have 15 or more years of the employment record and war record together, and have acquired right to pension on any other count. In March 2018, the BORS Board of War Invalids and RS Health Insurance Fund signed a protocol which enables war invalids who use orthopedic medical devices to receive money from the Fund and buy orthopedic medical device which suits them better. Remuneration to decorated veterans has been first time paid in 2005. From 2015 to 2019 and upon BORS initiative, 966 fallen soldiers have been decorated and their families have the right to remuneration. Since 2007, BORS initiated payment of veteran’s allowance – financial compensation for period spent in war. Until 2012, the veteran’s allowance was paid on annual basis, and from 2012 it has been paid on annual basis to veterans younger than 60, and on monthly basis to those older than 60. In cooperation with the RS Government, the BORS has been implementing project of health spa rehabilitation for years. The project provides free of charge health spa rehabilitation to members of families of fallen soldiers and war invalids who are in need of this type of rehabilitation. Up to 600 persons from those two categories receive described assistance. In cooperation with the RS Government and Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Handicapped Persons, BORS has been implementing the project of economic assistance to handicapped persons. The Project supports self-employment of war invalids

through allocation of grants for purchasing, for example, agricultural machinery, cattle, etc. So far, 138 grants, worth 138,492.00 Euro have been allocated to beneficiaries. The Strategy for improving social status of the persons with disabilities in the Republic of Srpska 2017-2026, foresees a series of activities that would contribute to the removal of all discriminatory provisions and other barriers to persons with disabilities:

- Establishment of an ombdusman for persons with disabilities, - Establishment of a Service to Support Employment of Persons with Disabilities - Introduction of reduced fares for persons with disabilities ( free and subsidized

transport, exsemption from paying tolls for persons with disabilities) - Create a single database of persons with disabilities, etc..


24th

Meeting of the



UN BREF RAPPORT SUR LES PRINCIPALES ACTIVITES DE

L'ASSOCIATION DES ANCIENS COMBATTANTS EN

BULGARIE DU 09.2015 AU 01.2019

Pendant cette période, notre association a été guidée par les plans stratégiques des FMAC les

résolutions de la 29e Assemblée générale ainsi que par les résolutions du 11 congrès notre de

l'association. Nos tâches principales étaient:

- Fournir une protection sanitaire, sociale et morale aux anciens combattants.

- Organisation d'actions pour des activités patriotiques et patriotiques, en particulier pour les

jeunes étudiants et étudiants.

- Préservation du mémorial historique, du culte et de l'honneur des monuments et du mémorial

aux anciens combattants décédés.

- Opposition active aux actes néo-fascistes, au terrorisme, à la xénophobie et à la discrimination

raciale.

- Activité active pour promouvoir la paix et la sécurité internationale et nationale.

- Renforcement organisationnel de l'association.

Pour la réalisation des fonctions sociales, notre attention est tournée vers la santé et la protection

sociale des anciens combattants. Nous avons proposé au Parlement d'élargir et d'améliorer les

soins médicaux, le traitement des anciens combattants dans le besoin, leur régime alimentaire

approprié, la fourniture de matériel médical, d'aides à la mobilité, l'extension des installations de

réadaptation et les hospices pour anciens combattants isolés.

Activité patriotique: Organiser des célébrations appropriées à des dates historiques remarquables:

- 100 ans depuis la fin de la Première Guerre mondiale et 70 ans depuis la fin de la Seconde

Guerre mondiale, célébrant les anniversaires des héros patriotiques et encourageant la publication

de mémoires et de mémoires sur la résistance anti-fasciste et les anciens combattants de la

Seconde Guerre mondiale. Organiser des réunions d'anciens combattants avec l'apprenant.

Stocker des souvenirs historiques - Placez régulièrement des fleurs sur des monuments construits

à la mémoire d'anciens combattants décédés. Chaque année, visitez des monuments et des

monuments commémoratifs d'anciens combattants bulgares décédés lors des batailles de

libération de la Macédoine, de la Serbie, de la Croatie et de la Hongrie, en déposant des fleurs et

en rencontrant des anciens combattants locaux.

Nous avons noué de très bons contacts avec des vétérans de la région de Sverdlovsk,

d’Ekaterinbourg (Russie). À la suite de la visite de délégations des villes susmentionnées en

Bulgarie et de la visite de notre délégation à Ekaterinbourg, il a été possible d’échanger des

données utiles.

Le Bureau exécutif de notre association d'anciens combattants a vivement réagi à travers les

médias face à l'intensification des manifestations néo-fascistes et xénophobes.

La paix - fidèle à la tradition, chaque année est célébrée la Journée internationale de la paix, non

seulement à Sofia, mais également dans toutes les villes et les plus petits villages du pays. En

cette année, la célébration de la Journée de la paix a été combinée avec le 70e anniversaire de

l'adoption de la Déclaration des droits de l'homme. Les célébrations se sont déroulées de manière

très active et émotionnelle, toujours avec beaucoup de respect et de nombreuses fleurs à la

mémoire des victimes de la guerre. Des représentants d'institutions administratives, de nombreux

citoyens pacifiques, des enfants, des étudiants et des jeunes ont assisté à la célébration.

Statut organisationnel. Seuls les anciens combattants de la Seconde Guerre mondiale et leurs

descendants sont membres de notre association. Malheureusement, à la fin de 2018, les veterans

vivantes ne comptent plus que 1050 personnes et environ 2 000 descendants. Nous étions environ

3 000 anciens combattants vivants en 2015. Nous avons plus de 90 ans en mauvaise santé. Il y a

28 organisations d'anciens combattants dans des villes distinctes où les membres actifs sont des

descendants d'anciens combattants cherchant des contacts avec d'autres organisations

patriotiques.

Ces dernières années, nos efforts ont consisté à attirer un plus grand nombre de descendants et de

suiveurs en préparant un plan stratégique pour l'avenir de l'organisation.

Salutations cordiales!

Prof. S. Pinkas vice Pesident Prof. Ivan Sechanov President

* * *

A BRIEF REPORT ON THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF

VETERANS IN BULGARIA FROM 09.2015 TO 01.2019

During this period, our association was guided by the WVF's strategic plans the resolutions of the

29th General Assembly as well as by the resolutions of the 11th Congress of the Association. Our

main tasks were:

- Provide health, social and moral protection to veterans.

- Organization of actions for patriotic and patriotic activities, especially for young students and

students.

- Preservation of the historic memorial, worship and honor of the monuments and memorial to

deceased veterans.

- Active opposition to neo-fascist acts, terrorism, xenophobia and racial discrimination.

- Active activity to promote peace and international and national security.

- Organizational strengthening of the association.

For the realization of social functions, our attention is turned to the health and social protection of

veterans. We have proposed to the Parliament to broaden and improve medical care, the

treatment of veterans in need, their proper diet, the provision of medical equipment, mobility

aids, the extension of rehabilitation facilities and the hospices for isolated veterans.

Patriotic Activity: Organize Appropriate Celebrations at Remarkable Historic Dates:

- 100 years since the end of the First World War and 70 years since the end of the Second World

War, celebrating the birthdays of patriotic heroes and encouraging the publication of memoirs

and memoirs on anti-fascist resistance and veterans of the Second World War. Organize veteran

meetings with the learner.

Storing Historical Memories - Regularly place flowers on memorials to deceased veterans. Every

year, visit the monuments and memorials of Bulgarian veterans who died during the liberation

battles of Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary, laying flowers and meeting local veterans.

We have had very good contacts with veterans from the Sverdlovsk region, Yekaterinburg

(Russia). Following the visit of delegations from the aforementioned cities to Bulgaria and the

visit of our delegation to Yekaterinburg, it was possible to exchange useful data.

The Executive Bureau of our veterans association has reacted strongly through the media to the

intensification of neo-fascist and xenophobic demonstrations.

Peace - true to tradition, every year is celebrated the International Day of Peace, not only in

Sofia, but also in all the cities and small villages of the country. In this year, the celebration of

Peace Day was combined with the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Human

Rights. The celebrations were very active and emotional, always with great respect and many

flowers in memory of the victims of the war. Representatives of administrative institutions, many

peaceful citizens, children, students and young people attended the celebration.

Organizational status. Only veterans of the Second World War and their descendants are

members of our association. Unfortunately, by the end of 2018, living veterans number only 1050

people and about 2,000 descendants. We were about 3,000 living veterans in 2015. We are over

90 years old in poor health. There are 28 veterans' organizations in separate cities where active

members are descendants of veterans seeking contacts with other patriotic organizations.

In recent years, our efforts have been to attract more descendants and followers by preparing a

strategic plan for the future of the organization.

Cordial greetings!

Teacher. S. Pinkas vice Pesident Prof. Ivan Sechanov President


24th

Meeting of the



Kl. 127-01/19-10

Ur.br. 363-ZUHBL-PTSP-RH-19-10-48

Zagreb, 09. October 2019.

BREIF REPORT FROM THE UNION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF CROATIAN

DEFENDERS TREATED FROM PTSD REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

During the period from June 2014 to June 2019 members of the Presidency of the Union of

association of Croatian defenders treated from PTSD Republic Croatia have been actively

involved in the implementation of public policies and have been particularly advocating for the

rights of their members – Croatian defenders treated from PTSD.

Also, representatives of the Union were members of the Working group during the drafting of the

new Act on Croatian Homeland War Veterans and their Families. They participated in this group

as representatives of the population that is covered by this law.

The law came into force in January 2018 and it is of great importance to the Croatian Homeland

war veterans and members of their families. Therefore, it is of great importance to our members

whose interests we always represent.

The President of the Union has submitted a proposal for amending the protocols on the

assessment of the working capacity and physical disability of veterans. Proposal was accepted

and now after years veterans can again apply for recognition of disability whose consequence is

participation in the Homeland War.

From 2005 president of the Union is the member of the Board of Foundation for Croatian

Homeland war veterans and their family. The purpose of the Foundation is to improve the

economic and material position of veterans and their family members.

Especially in cases of:

- difficult financial and material situations (where the immediate existence of Croatian war

veterans and their family members is threatened)

- need of care and treatment in cases of serious illness

- death of Croatian veteran or their family member

- in prequalification or education for certain occupations

- in cases of elemental disasters and fires in which the damage was caused on residential

buildings or settlements where Croatian veterans or the members of their family are resident.

ZAJEDNICA UDRUGA HRVATSKIH BRANITELJA LIJEČENIH OD

POSTTRAUMATSKOG STRESNOG POREMEĆAJA RH

UNION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF CROATIAN DEFENDERS TREATED FROM PTSD REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

In this period president of the Union was actively involved in policies and arrangements

concerning veterans and their families. Also, he participated in meeting with Croatian president

Grabar – Kitarović about missing persons from Croatian Homeland war where participants

concluded that negotiations with Serbian government which will lead to finding them should

continue in higher intensity.

In the past four years, we have also carried out our projects with activities such as group

meetings, pilgrimages and sports competitions.

In 2018, we conducted a survey on the “Quality of life of Croatian veterans treated for PTSD of

the Republic of Croatia” and represented the results of the survey to the public. Through this

survey we received valuable input on the problems of the Croatian defenders treated for PTSD,

like social discomfort, communication problems, worry obsessed thoughts and other type of

negative feelings that can lead toward isolation and consequently create more negative emotions.

After reviewing of the results, we have concluded that Croatian veterans treated for PTSD are in

need of organized activities in form of workshops or educations that can help them to control

their negative feelings and learn how to deal with everyday problems. In Croatia there are still not

enough organized workshops or therapy groups where members can go on regular basis. After

conducting this survey, we have the insight into needs of our members and can start with finding

a way to provide necessary help.

All these activities were funded by the national organizations (Ministry of Croatian Defenders

and the National Foundation for Civil Society Development).

President

Tihomir Trešćec


24th

Meeting of the



REPORT on the main national activities of the

Disabled War Veterans Association of Finland

during the period June 2014 – June 2019

Disabled War Veterans Association of Finland (Sotainvalidien Veljesliitto – Krigsinvalidernas

Brödraförbund ry ) was founded 18th of August 1940, by and for those veterans who were

permanently disabled in the Winter War (1939–1940) to assist them in getting treatment,

rehabilitation, vocational training and work, and to provide fraternal support. At the end of

the World War II there were about 96 000 disabled war veterans in Finland. Over the years,

the Association has actively promoted the interests of its members and has had major

influence on the development of the War Disabilities Act that provides for the disabled war

veterans’ needs.

In June 2014, there were about 4400 disabled World War II veterans with average age about

90 years. In June 2019, about 1 300 of them were still living and their average age is now

about 95. With some assistance, the majority of them are still able to live at home. Since

2005, the Association has accepted also spouses and widows of the disabled war veterans as

members and nearly 6 000 of them were in June still living. Their membership is a recognition

for their decades-long role as helpers of their life-companions.

Today, the focus is on helping members cope with the challenges of daily life in their

advanced age. It was very important that since 1.1.2017 all the disabled war veterans

regardless of their disability degree are entitled to municipal health and home care services

covered by the state.

Today altogether nearly 1000 disabled war veterans and their spouses or widows receive help

through a project-based non-medical home care service that complements veterans’

municipal services. This service has been organized by the Disabled War Veterans Association

together with other Finnish Veterans Associations. The help given includes household

maintenance, yard work, and running errands. Social interaction is a vital part of the service.

Also the project improving war veterans housing conditions (started 1991) is continuing.

There are still 14 advisory officers (their employer the Finnish Central Union for the Welfare of

the Aged) in different parts of Finland available for the war veterans who need help for the

repairs of their homes. The costs of the repairs are funded partly by the state and

municipalities partly from other sources: donations from foundations and also partly by

veterans themselves or their families. Last year (2018) were houses of 73 disabled war

veterans repaired with support of this project.

Traditional ways to finance the activities of all three Finnish War Veterans Associations are the

support of STEA (Funding Center for Social Welfare and Health Organizations) with profits

from Finnish gaming system and the fund-raising drives in which the young military service

recruits have an important role as money collectors. Also the donations received from the

firms, foundations and friends have been very important.

The Disabled War Veterans Association of Finland will still continue about 5-7 years and when

the time comes it will cease to be. The Association is a non-profit organization and all of its

funds will be used in its members’ lifetime. The last remaining members will be cared for by

the volunteer based Heritage Society of the Disabled War Veterans. It will inform the future

generations about those young men and women who defended Finland's independence and

permanently disabled in the wars.

Disabled War Veterans Association of Finland Ratamestarinkatu 9 C 00520 Helsinki Finland [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


24th

Meeting of the



Dear president,

Thanks for letting me attend the conference and I am pleased to represent the

Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization (IDF Disability Organization).

The organization

The Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization (ZDVO) is a registered non-profit organization, established

in the wake of the War of Independence (1949), with the purpose of providing the 3,400 disabled

veterans from this war with all their needs towards the long process of their rehabilitation. It is the only

organization legally responsible for representing those veterans wounded and disabled while serving in

defense of the State of Israel.

The 54,000 members wounded and disabled while fighting in defense of the State of Israel are only part

of the heavy price our nation has had to pay for its independence and survival. Following the intensive

ongoing combat and counter-terrorist activity carried out daily to safeguard Israel’s independence.

Several hundred new members join the ranks of the organization annually.

The Purpose of the Organization and its goals:

1. Lobbying Initiatives – Safe guard their legal rights and promote their interests through

legislation or economic and social measures.

2. Improve Quality of Life – By setting challenges and daily targets, both physical and mental, it

aims to restore a better quality of life.

3. Reintegration Into Society - Foster the full reintegration of the veterans into society by: Assist

employment and work, establishing sports & rehabilitation centers, offering a comprehensive

range of services.

4. Supportive Network - Build a supportive atmosphere, which will help the disabled veterans

resume their normal lives as quickly as possible.

5. To be a warm and supportive 'Big Family'.

The organization is headed by the Idan Kliman (Advocat) and the organization's CEO is Abraham

Lerman (Both are equipped with wheelchairs)

Functions and Activities in the Z.D.V.O. Centers

The organization has established five houses for a social activity, sports and rehabilitation, to our

members and to them family's.

The centers operate through budgets from the Defense Ministry's rehabilitation department and

donations from philanthropists from Israel and abroad.

The centers meet the needs of the disabled population and are physically and organizationally

accessible to this population.

The warrior centers include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, lawns, gym, sports halls, games

rooms, reading clubs, a cultural hall and unique activity rooms such as target shooting, snooker and

more. Alongside all these, there are enrichment activities in many circles in diverse areas for members

of the household, and for their families.

Sincerely,

Mr. Hanan Tahar & Dr. Ron Ganany

Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization


24th

Meeting of the



5th National Congress

of the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions Veterans Association

On 28th of September 2019, the 5th National Congress of the UN Peacekeeping Missions

Veterans Association was held in Jachranka near Warsaw, Poland. 79 delegates, elected from circle

organizations of the Association, took part in the Congress. Delegates represented veterans of overseas

missions of the Polish Armed Forces in particular peacekeeping, peacemaking, peace enforcement and

humanitarian missions veterans from all over Poland.

The president of the General Board Gen. Stanislaw Wozniak presented the final report which

covered four year activities of the organization. The report of the Commission of

Auditors was also presented with its recommendation to the Congress Delegates to grant discharge to

the outgoing Board. After substantive discussion the Congress adopted a resolution granting discharge

to the Board as well as "The Programme and Courses of Action of the Association for the period 2020

to 2023.

The delegates elected members of the General Board and members of the Commission

of Auditors. Gen. Stanislaw Wozniak was elected President of the Board during first meeting of the

General Board.


24th

Meeting of the



Brief report on the main national activities of our association

Liga dos Combatentes (Portugal)

During the last four years (2015-2019) our main activities were related with the

celebrations of the First World War Centenary.

Liga dos Combatentes has 128 delegations along the country with eighty thousand

members and we celebrate several occasions with religious and military activities with

the participation of veterans and their families :

Combatants Day – 9 April

Peace and Humanitarian Operations Day – (29 May)

Portugal Day – (10 June)

Walk for Peace (UN international day of Peace) September

Anniversary of our Institution (16 October)

Armistice Day (11 November)

Our ten CAMPS (Centros de Apoio Médico, Psicológico e Social) support our

members and families in their health and PTSD problems. In 2018 they made 12.800

consultations and medical acts ( Psychiatry – 1450; Psychology – 3215;Family and

General clinic 3178, Nursery treatments 980 ; visits of social support 1200 ; sessions of

individual and group therapy 1887.

We have in the moment two Residences for Veterans one in the north part of the

country and other in center and we are trying obtain funds to built another one in the

south of Portugal, since our combatants are old and suffer with severe financial needs.

We create a new program called “Transmission for the young generations” with an

action plan directed to branches of the Armed and Security Forces, to ensure the

perennially of our institution.

We continue supporting many families and member veterans with health and economic

problems.

Continue the activities of the program “Memories” treating the intervention in

cemeteries of Portuguese Combatants in Asia and African Territories Mozambique,

Guinee-Bissau, Timor and now in Angola where we have many Portuguese soldiers in

camps all over the territories.

We are continuing the benefits and maintenance of all monuments (448) cemetery

blocks (120) and cemeteries existing in Portugal and abroad.

Our combatants museums have continuously exhibitions, seminars and conferences

with many visitants national and foreigners.

We have a special program called “Culture, Citizenship and Defense” with regular

conferences regarding our participation in African War from 1961 to 1975 and

publishing several books about this theme.

* * *

Bref rapport de juin 2014 à juin 2019

sur les principales activités de la Ligue des Combattants Portugais

dite aussi dans la langue de Camões « Liga dos Combatentes »

Au cours des quatre dernières années, nos principales activités se sont orientées

vers les commémorations du Centenaire de la Grande Guerre et les célébrations des

anniversaires de notre institution.

Nous eûmes ainsi à célèbrer « le 9 Avril, le Jour du Combattant », « le 29 Mai,

la Journée de la Paix et des opérations humanitaires dite également la Journée

Internationale des Casques Bleus », « le 10 juin, la Fête Nationale du Portugal,

Journée de Camões et des communautés portugaises dans le monde », « la Course pour

la Paix lors de Journée internationale de la Paix des Nations Unies » et « le 16 octobre,

l’anniversaire de la Liga dos Combatentes » ainsi que « le 11 novembre, le Jour de

l'Armistice ».

La « Liga dos Combatentes » compte 128 délégations au Portugal et à

l'international avec environ 80 000 membres. D’ailleurs, il s’avère qu’ils sont fort

nombreux à assister aux célébrations accompagnés de leurs familles.

Dans le cadre de la Santé, nous avons dix centres de soutien médical,

psychologique et social assistant des membres de la Ligue et de leurs familles dans leurs

problèmes et soins. En 2018, il y eut ainsi 12 800 consultations et actes médicaux qui

sont répartis comme suit : en Psychiatrie, 1 450 ; Psychologie, 3 215 ; Médecine

familiale et médecine général, 3 718 ; Soins infirmiers, 980 ; Visites de soutien social,

1200 et en Séances de thérapie de groupe et individuelles, 1887.

Nous avons actuellement deux maisons pour des Combattants du troisième âge

dans le nord et le sud du pays tout étant en recherche de fonds afin de pouvoir financer

la construction d'une troisième résidence dans la région centre.

Nous avons également créé un nouveau programme intitulé « Transmettre les

témoignages aux nouvelles générations », destiné en particulier aux membres des

Forces Armées et de Sécurité afin de garantir la pérennité de l’institution, les

combattants de la Guerre d’Outre-mer ayant plus de 60 ans.

Bien entendu, nous poursuivons notre soutien aux adhérents et membres de leurs

familles qui sont les plus défavorisés et les plus souffrants et malades.

Nous persévérons encore et toujours dans notre programme de la « Conservation

des Mémoires » afin d’entretenir et maintenir les cimetières où sont inhumés les

Combattants de la Grande Guerre et de la Guerre d’Outre-Mer, tant en France qu’au

Portugal et en Afrique, où nous avons combattu en Angola, Mozambique, Guinée-

Bissau, Cap Vert mais aussi à Timor. Seulement au Portugal, nous maintenons 448

monuments funéraires et 120 ossuaires.

Nos musées poursuivent de même leurs riches activités en présentant de

nouvelles expositions et en organisant des séminaires, des lancements de livres et de

nombreuses activités destinées aux personnel des écoles et à leurs éléves.

Nous avons également un programme intitulé « Culture, citoyenneté et défense »

programant ainsi de nombreuses conférences et lancements de livres sur le thème de la «

Fin de l’empire » au sujet de notre participation à la guerre en Afrique de 1961 à 1975.


24th

Meeting of the



In Slovenia in 2019 war veterans organisations, members of the WVF

were advocating peace and peaceful coexistence among nations

The memorial ascension to Triglav, the symbol of Slovene identity.

On July 12th and 13th the Union of the Associations for the Values of the National

Liberation Movement of Slovenia, the SEVER Association of Police Veteran's Society,

the Association of Veterans of the War for Slovenia and the Military Officers

Association of Slovenia organised the 34th Memorial March to Mount Triglav, the

highest, 2864m high mountain in Slovenia. Surprisingly high number of 560 veterans

from all around Slovenia took part In this popular march that had started some of them

from faraway towns already few days before the official start. This symbolic event was

honoured also by members of slovene national minorities from the neighbouring

countries. Final ceremony assisted by several hundreds of participants took place at

Rudno polje on Sunday 13 of July.

March to Cerje, the historic place of remembrance from World War I

Cerje is a popular tourist destination in the western part of Slovenia as well as the place

where heroic defenders defended the slovene teritory in the World War One. On July

8th at 6.a.m. members of the Veterans Association SEVER for Severna Primorska

region met at Cerje with SEVER Police Veterans Association for Primorska and

Notranjska region, who had been on march already for two days towards the Mount

Triglav.

The Eternal flame light in the graveyard Žale in the capital of Slovenia

On September the 1st the solemn ceremony took place in the graveyard Žale by

lightening the Eternal Flame in front of the monument that was erected »In remebrance

of Russian soldiers and soldiers from the former Soviet Union, who lost their lives

during the World War One and World War Two on the teritory of Slovenia«.In his

speech, the President of the Slovene State Council Mr. Alojz Koušca, underlined the

correctness and the importance of maintainig the memory of unknown soldiers who

sacrified their lives for the freedom and the peace. On the ceremony were present also

banners of slovene veterans and homelands organisations'. Representatives laid the

wreath to the monument. On this occasion Russian ambassador to Slovenia announced

solemn opening of the »Monument to sons and daughters of Slovenia« in the Park of

Victory in Moscau.

»Peace is not obvious« was the message of War Veterans March for peace 2019 in

Ljubljana:

Joined members of the WVF: the Union of the Associations for the Values of the

National Liberation Movement of Slovenia, the SEVER Association of Police Veteran's

Society, the Association of Veterans of the War for Slovenia, Federation of Disabled

War Veterans' Associations of Slovenia, and of this year the new member of WVF, the

MORiS Association of Societies and Clubs jointly organised on September 20th in

Ljubljana the traditional March for Peace.

Together with several hundreds of war veterans also numerous children from the

neighbouring schools and many citizens joined the march. Slovenian Police brass band

and Police troopers headed this march. Participants were equipped with small baloons

and flags with inscription of United Nations and flags of the WVF. The march through

the downtown of Ljubljana aimed to the Town Hall where the participants of the march

were welcomed by the mayor of Ljubljana.

At the gathering the message of Secretary General Antonio Guterres was read. The main

speaker Mr. Dušan Keber who is physician, researcher, publicist and defender of the

social state, evoked items like environmental and economic crisis, massive migrations

on one hand and on the other the greed for power of rich states and their accumulation

of the power and their striving after the domination, what all endanger our peaceful

future. He warned of being comforted with the mode of thinking that we live in oasis of

peace. Mr. Keber warned that the peace is today only a kind of the break in between two

wars. That is why the broad mobilisation of citizens is needed to call on governments

and their politicians, who do very little or nearly nothing for peace, to do much more to

achieve real peace, otherwise «nopeace or war« will reach us, he concluded.

In October Remembrance Day was celebrated at the so called Airport Picadily

Hope at Otok near Metlika in Slovenia

In August of 1944 Slovene Partisans rescued from the German captivity near Maribor

several hundreds of allied prisoners of war, among them 87 british pilots. They were on

September 17 th transfered by five allied planes from newly built Partisan's Airport near

Otok to Bari in Italy. Later on one additional airport was constructed by Slovene

Partisans so that all in all over 800 rescued allied pilots, around 2000 children, women,

aged people and nearly 1500 wounded partisans during the Second World War. left

territory from these two improvised airports.


24th

Meeting of the



country reports *** rapports de pays€¦ · through allocation of grants for purchasing, for...

Documents