Afghanistan War Veterans mark 19th anniversary of Soviet troops' withdrawal

The Union of the Afghanistan War Veterans marks the 19th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Afghanistan, Info-Prim Neo reports. Union's president Mihail Mocan told a news conference on May 14 the last Soviet soldiers had left Afghanistan on February 15, 1989. Commemoration actions have taken place in Moldova's districts starting from February. They will end in Chisinau on May 18. Although the Afghanistan war is treated as an invasion of the Soviet troops, the soldiers, including the ones from Moldova, did their duty before the state they swore allegiance to, said Mihail Mocan According to him, the most beautiful monument to the soldiers fallen in the fights in Afghanistan was erected in Chisinau. The meeting of May 18 will take place right in the front of that monument on Miron Costin str., starting at 12.00. In the morning of that day, between 9.00 and 10.30 the participants in the event, including from other countries, will be welcomed on the Great National Assembly Square. At 10.30 they will lay flowers at Steven the Great's Monument, then the participants will march to the monument on Miron Costin str. At 16.00 the National Palace will host a concert, while at 21.00, the capital's center will be shed by light from fireworks. Victor Alergus, a participant in that war, has said the state offers little support to men having survived, many of being mutilated and sick. The pension of a war crippled varies between 800 and 1000 lei, what cannot insure a decent living. The state also offers by 500 lei on holidays. Over 12 thousand young Moldovans fought in the Soviet Army in Afghanistan.