The meetings of the PMR President with those who once performed an international duty are systemic. Vadim Krasnoselsky communicates with Afghans in the course of collective discussions with social activists, at ceremonial and commemorative events, and personal receptions. The traditional meeting is dedicated to the Day of Remembrance and Glory of Warriors-Internationalists. This year, it was held on the eve of February 15 - the day of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The House of Official Receptions remembered those who had not returned from the Afghan war, and talked about how the life of those who have forever been assigned the status of an internationalist warrior is taking shape today.
Two thousand Pridnestrovians visited Afghanistan during 9 years of hostilities. More than fifty died. 132 people died later from wounds and diseases. Those who returned to their homeland, in the early 90s of the last century stood up for its defense. And again, there were losses among the Afghans: 27 people gave their lives for the independence of Pridnestrovie, they said during today's meeting. The internationalist warriors themselves have repeatedly emphasized that the Afghans are always in the ranks and are ready to defend the interests of the Pridnestrovians in any circumstances and by all possible means. Vadim Krasnoselsky, for his part, emphasized the indifference and social activity of the Afghans.
They talked during the one and a half hour discussion about foreign policy and the historical background of the events that are happening today. When discussing issues related to the negotiation process, the PMR President asked the interlocutors if they talked with Afghans who fought against the Pridnestrovian people in the 90s. According to the Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Association of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan Igor Buga, half of these people changed their attitude to the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian conflict, its causes, essence, the guilty and the victims.
Touching upon the topic of state support for internationalist warriors, they mentioned the possibility of visiting them at the expense of the budget of health facilities - to the Kamenka sanatorium "Dniester" and the health complex "Dniester Dawns". Last year, 1600 subsidized sanatoria and holiday-homes voucher were paid from the republican budget, for the current it is planned to purchase two thousand. The Afghans are also responsible for their recipients, the leaders of local veteran organizations are responsible. Vadim Krasnoselsky urged them to be more careful and actively defend the interests of their representatives.
They spoke in the course of the meeting about economics, tourism development, and social policy. Infrastructure changes taking place throughout the republic were mentioned. It was also the work of the Afghans related to patriotic education. It was noted that their contribution to the preservation of history in its true form cannot be overestimated. Moreover, they talked not only about the events of the times of military Afghanistan, but also about the Great Patriotic War, as well as about the premises, the history of the creation and establishment of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Losing memory, people lose their minds, losing mind, people lose everything, Vadim Krasnoselsky summed up, urging not to stop educating and enlightening activities, involving as many young people and veterans as witnesses and direct participants in the hostilities of different times.
Concluding the conversation, Vadim Krasnoselsky expressed gratitude to the interlocutors for their military feat, for the community work that they carry out in peacetime, and for the conversation that took place. The President presented a number of state awards.
The next meeting with the participants in the war in Afghanistan will take place next Saturday. On the 15th of February, a rally dedicated to the Day of memory and glory of internationalist warriors will be held at the capital's Glory Memorial.
