Preparation for 65th Anniversary of Belarusian Liberation Must Become Nation-Wide

“Preparation for the 65th anniversary of Belarusian liberation from Nazi invaders must become nation-wide,” such an opinion was expressed by Sergey Sidorskiy, Prime-Minister of Belarus, at the meeting of the National Organizing Committee on preparing and holding the celebration of the 65th anniversary of Belarusian liberation from Nazi invaders and Victory of Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War which took place in Minsk. What is more, the Head of Government is the chairman of the organizing committee. Deputy Chairman of the National Organizing Committee is Vladimir Makei, Head of Belarusian President's Administration. “It is important that everyone should clearly understand those specific goals and objectives which are to be achieved when preparing this large-scale event,” said the Prime-Minister.

“Preparation for the 65^th anniversary of Belarusian liberation from Nazi invaders must become nation-wide,” such an opinion was expressed by Sergey Sidorskiy, Prime-Minister of Belarus, at the meeting of the National Organizing Committee on preparing and holding the celebration of the 65^th anniversary of Belarusian liberation from Nazi invaders and Victory of Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War which took place in Minsk. What is more, the Head of Government is the chairman of the organizing committee. Deputy Chairman of the National Organizing Committee is Vladimir Makei, Head of Belarusian President's Administration. “It is important that everyone should clearly understand those specific goals and objectives which are to be achieved when preparing this large-scale event,” said the Prime-Minister.

He also noted that one should “adhere to the fundamental principle: reassessment of the World War II results is out of question and, in general, to raise such a question is a sacrilege”. The general slogan “No one and nothing is forgotten” must be a key one for all the events held both on national and local levels,” stressed Sergey Sidorskiy. As regards the preparation itself, the Prime-Minister believes that one shouldn’t repeat oneself. It is necessary to work out new creative strategies.

Besides that, the state should take real care of the veteran’s health. “We must do everything required to satisfy everyday and medical necessities of war veterans,” added Sergey Sidorskiy.

At the meeting of the organizing committee Vladimir Potupchik, Minister of Labour and Social Security, noted that at present 55.4 thousand war veterans live on the territory of Belarus, among them there are 41 thousand disabled people and war participants. During recent years the number of veterans decreased almost half as many. That is why on the threshold of the 65^th anniversary of liberation it is very important to create all the conditions which will secure veterans’ decent living, eager activity, public honour and respect. In Belarus the level of pension provision for disabled people and war veterans is higher than for other pensioner categories. For instance, in August an average retirement pension for war invalids amounted to Br690 thousand while disability pension made up Br564 thousand.

Besides that, these categories of pensioners have a right for free medicaments and social adaptation technologies, for first-priority free of charge sanatorium-and-spa treatment and health improvement. Once a year veterans can travel by local Belarusian railway for free. Veterans also enjoy maintenance, public service and communication service benefits.

At the same time, noted Vladimir Potupchik, because of their age veterans have difficulties in solving everyday problems such as maintenance of accommodation and outhouses, cultivation of homestead land, fueling, laying-in of potatoes and other vegetables for winter. They also need pecuniary aid. 1216 veterans are in need of housing improvement.

In this connection the organising committee suggests working out a plan of activities aimed at rendering social services as well as assistance in accommodation maintenance to this category of citizens. The amount of works will be estimated so one needs to specify respective financing in local budgets for the year 2009.

In view of the anniversary date the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is working out a draft decree of rendering nonrecurrent pecuniary aid to war veterans and some other categories of people who suffered from war consequences. It is suggested to render nonrecurrent pecuniary aid to all categories of Great Patriotic War veterans in the amount of a living-wage budget which will require Br25 billion. It is also suggested to include in the draft decree the prisoners of fascist concentration camps, prisons, ghettos and other placed of forced confinement. There are about 50 thousand such citizens in Belarus. Such kind of help has never been rendered to them before.

In his turn Vasiliy Zharko, Minister of Health, informed the participants about the medical assistance rendered to the veterans and invalids of the Great Patriotic War. Our republic has an efficient system of medical care organized for this category of population. Every year they can undergo complete prophylactic medical examination; individual programmes of medical rehabilitation are worked out. 99.2% of those who need have had tooth replacement; hearing aids were received by 100% of indigents.

According to Nikolai Panteley, Minister of Communications, at present there is not a single denied request for installation of fixed location phones for veterans. They enjoy house telephone fee benefits. According to designed data, in 2009 these benefits will amount to Br344 million, in 2010 – to Br388 billion.

Vladimir Matveichuk, Minister of Culture, informed about a large creative programme which is being prepared for the 65^th anniversary of Belarusian liberation. It is planned to reserve three days for festive events at the Palace of the Republic. Theme film demonstrations, feature film premieres and other events will be held in all cinemas of the country on the threshold of the festive occasion.

Much work aimed at improvement of civic and patriotic education is planned to be carried out among students and school children. The Head of Government suggested developing new forms of meetings and conversations with the youth as far as today many veterans can’t meet younger generation because of their age. For such talks one can invite present heroes: from the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Home Affairs. Such symbolic connections between generations can also educate young people, believes the Prime-Minister. He suggested the Ministry of education adjusting their plans in this direction.

Viktor Gaisenok, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs told the participants about the work carried out for war veterans who live abroad. According to more accurate lists, there are about 65.5 thousand such people. All of them will be presented with letters of congratulation from the President of Belarus as well as with anniversary medals. It is also planned to invite to the festive occasion some foreign citizens who fought against fascism during World War II and participated in liberation of Belarus.

At the meeting of the organising committee the participants carried out a detailed analysis of the work and further activities aimed at restoration of the memorial complex “Brest Hero Fortress”.

According to the press service of Belarusian Government