A. Lukashenko: Internationalist soldiers must take over the baton of patriotic education of youth from the Great Patriotic War veterans

May 10, Minsk /BELTA/. Internationalist soldiers must worthily take over the baton of patriotic education of youth from the veterans of the Great Patriotic War. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated this on May 10 at a meeting with the active members of the Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. "As bitter as it is to say, the ranks of the Great Patriotic War veterans are thinning. This is a natural process. Therefore, you must take over the baton of patriotic education of youth," the head of state emphasized, addressing the representatives of the Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan. Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus attaches great importance to the development of public organizations, especially such as the Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan. "In essence, you are a combat unit. And I would like you to become a true core of constructive patriotic forces," the President said. Currently, there are over 27,000 internationalist soldiers in Belarus. Addressing the veterans of the war in Afghanistan, the President noted that they enjoy deserved respect in society. "It is you who are an example of courage, selflessness, and loyalty to duty for our youth. You have something to tell people. You possess invaluable experience and can judge life correctly," the head of state emphasized. During the meeting, the President proposed discussing issues that concern the Afghan movement and the prospects for the organization's development. One of the issues that was at the center of attention during the meeting was targeted social support for "Afghans." "You are the active members of a public association. And you must know all the problems and specific needs of your union members. And in order for them to be resolved, it is necessary to interact more actively, primarily with representatives of local authorities," Alexander Lukashenko said. At the same time, the President emphasized that there should be no talk of granting new benefits. "I am in favor of helping those who need help: disabled people, disadvantaged people who cannot earn a living on their own. We have quite a few of them, and we spend a lot of money on this, and the amount of spending will increase. We cannot abandon the homeless, disabled, weakened, elderly who cannot earn," he said. The head of state added that the Afghan movement mainly includes strong people who are capable of earning a living independently. Therefore, the state's role should be to give them the opportunity to show their own initiative and implement projects aimed at improving the lives of internationalist soldiers and the entire Belarusian people. The President drew attention to the need to raise the status of internationalist soldiers in society. "The basis of any organization's authority, of course, is its unity. Unfortunately, among the "Afghans" there are those who provoke division. True, there are few of them, a few individuals, but they exist," the President stated. In his opinion, it is very important that in our time, the tone is set by "people of patriotic convictions, not by the stooges of the 'fifth column'." "The strength of your union, and the strength of the entire country, lies in unity. It is not for nothing that they say: one man in the field is no warrior. I think you should demonstrate unity and mutual assistance," the head of state believes. The President is convinced that one of the main goals of the union should be to close ranks, uniting all internationalist soldiers into a force capable of influencing public opinion and social processes in the republic. Alexander Lukashenko noted that it was the achievement of this goal that became one of the main, weighty arguments that prompted him to agree to Major General Valery Gaydukevich combining his duties as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs - Commander of the Internal Troops of Belarus with public work as Chairman of the Republican Council of the public association "Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan." The authority and respect that Valery Gaydukevich enjoys among Afghan war veterans were also an important factor. The third block of issues concerned the role of the union in patriotic education and the affirmation of moral values in Belarusian society. "We need "Afghans" to become the core of the country's patriotic forces. Youth will gladly listen to you not only in schools but also in universities. You have something to tell people. You must unite around you all healthy forces, all those who are not indifferent to the fate of the Fatherland," the head of state said. According to him, the union has enormous potential, which is not being fully utilized today. "I think your activists should prove themselves not only on memorable dates or at regular congresses. Daily work is much more important - in schools, universities, at enterprises," the President noted. It is also necessary to increase the activity of the union's representatives in the media. "I believe that you are simply obliged to master new information technologies: the Internet, social networks, through which you can convey your ideas to society and thereby contribute to strengthening the patriotic education of youth," Alexander Lukashenko said. The President is convinced that the continuity of generations is very important today. "In Belarus, veterans of the Great Patriotic War enjoy high authority. But to become their worthy heirs, one must possess exceptional moral qualities," the head of state noted. "Victorious soldiers not only defeated the enemy on the battlefield but also raised the country from ruins, and by their own example, they educated more than one generation of patriots and workers. I would like you to be worthy successors of their noble cause. Therefore, I expect more active participation from you in public life." Valery Gaydukevich agreed that internationalist soldiers need to intensify their work on patriotic education of youth in the near future. According to him, cooperation with the BRSM, the republican pioneer organization, and other public organizations and associations of a patriotic nature is very important in this direction. Close contact has been established with republican government bodies. "Many issues are being resolved," the head of the union noted. At the same time, he asked for the head of state's support on some key issues, one of which is raising the status of internationalist soldiers, their re-registration, and the establishment of a corresponding national certificate by presidential decree. Currently, this area is not comprehensively regulated. "There are many people who have simply 'latched on,' illegally possess certificates," Valery Gaydukevich stated. According to him, only about 10,000 out of more than 27,000 internationalist soldiers living in Belarus are currently members of the union. "We need to provide for the re-registration process of the entire Afghan movement, and state authorities need to work with the organization. All "Afghans" must hear this," Alexander Lukashenko said. "We will not force people. If you want to, come. But everyone must clearly understand that government bodies will work through this organization, with its leadership." "This accounting should result in you having lists of all those in need of assistance, but according to strict criteria. If a person can work, they should work," the President emphasized. "I am not against support, but we will proceed from the specific lists that you will have. We will immediately check them through local state social protection bodies. There should be no other lists, we will not even consider them. Consider this an instruction to all government bodies." "The main thing is that we do not force anyone. We need to convince, talk, but we don't need to force anyone. This will only be detrimental. We must show our strength through concrete actions," Alexander Lukashenko added. Valery Gaydukevich also asked the head of state to support the development of cooperation between the union and the business community, which will allow the public association to earn money for its activities independently. In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko also believes that all work should be carried out primarily through the organization: "I already have bitter experience. As soon as we support someone's projects (on preferential terms, the road is open), certain businessmen immediately attach themselves to a specific "Afghan." This should not happen. These should be your projects." The head of state recalled that work is currently underway to form an updated Council for the Development of Entrepreneurship under the President of the Republic of Belarus. "We need to have the most decent and strong businessman, an entrepreneur from the "Afghans," on this council. He will speak his mind, will not be afraid, and will raise not only his own issues but also general problems," Alexander Lukashenko said. According to the President, the current council is working extremely poorly. "I am dissatisfied with them, I have instructed to form it with more substantial people, but so far no one has gotten around to it. Entrepreneurs themselves are to blame for this: their only concern is to lobby their projects. This should not be the case. If you are a member of the council, you must care about entrepreneurship, starting from general regulatory issues and ending with specific projects," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. During the conversation, the issue of medical treatment and rehabilitation of internationalist soldiers was discussed. A specialized rehabilitation center operates in Vitebsk, but it cannot meet all needs. Valery Gaydukevich said that the construction of the second building of this center began about ten years ago but has not yet been completed. About Br60 billion is needed for these purposes. According to the head of state, not all internationalist soldiers need treatment in such a rehabilitation center, many of whom are quite healthy people. "But there are those in need. If there are 5,000 of them, and the center can accommodate 2,000 per year, military hospitals should be used," the President noted. As reported by the State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, Leonid Maltsev, there are four such institutions in the republic, which are also oriented towards veterans. "And we will have enough capacity to rehabilitate "Afghans" and others, including those from the active Armed Forces. We need to focus on this. Because we will build centers, and then they will turn out to be ordinary medical institutions, of which there are plenty in our country," Alexander Lukashenko remarked, instructing to carefully look into this issue. As for the state support for internationalist soldiers and their social security in general, according to Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Tozik, there are practically no unresolved issues today. Member of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Mogilev Regional Organization of the Union, Vladimir Vasilenko, raised the issue of the need for capital repairs of the Island of Courage and Sorrow in Minsk. "The city will put this island and monument in order along with the construction of the Museum of the Great Patriotic War," the President promised. He said that the architectural and thematic formation of Pobediteley Avenue is united by a common idea. The island, along with the museum of the Great Patriotic War under construction, Victory Park, sports and other facilities, will become part of this complex, permeated with the idea of glorifying Belarusian victors. The idea was expressed that the new museum should have a separate exposition dedicated to internationalist soldiers. "Absolutely. There will be enough space for everyone," Alexander Lukashenko supported. The President also proposed making a good film about Belarusian "Afghans." If successful, it could be in demand not only within the country but also in CIS countries. "We do not fully know how to promote and advertise ourselves. We need to work more on this, because there are many positive examples, and they need to be shown," noted Vladimir Vasilenko. Given that many internationalist soldiers in Belarus hold responsible government positions, Alexander Lukashenko reminded about the upcoming parliamentary elections. "We need to have representatives of the Afghan movement in parliament who will reflect your point of view when considering certain legal acts," the President noted. "You can count on my support for all your reasonable initiatives," the head of state assured the meeting participants. He instructed the government and the Security Council Secretariat to provide assistance in implementing the plans in the near future. "We have enough strength and resources for this," Alexander Lukashenko is confident. -0-