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..
WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION
24th
Meeting of the
Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)
Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019
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
WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION
24th
Meeting of the
Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)
Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019
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
WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION
24th
Meeting of the
Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)
Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019
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]
WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION
24th
Meeting of the
Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)
Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019
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
WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION
24th
Meeting of the
Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)
Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019
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.
WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION
24th
Meeting of the
Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)
Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019
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.
WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION
24th
Meeting of the
Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)
Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019
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.
WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION
24th
Meeting of the
Standing Committee on European Affairs (SCEA)
Berlin (Germany), 25-27 October 2019