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Party of Veterans established in Russia

The founding congress of the Party of Veterans has opened in Moscow

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, September 22 (Itar-Tass) —— A party of veterans is established in Russia. The decision is taken at the congress in Moscow on Saturday.

Army general Viktor Yermakov, a former commander of Army 40 and a former Soviet deputy defence minister, in his address urged party members to pay attention particularly to social problems.

"After retiring from the Armed Forces, I worked, and 345,000 rbls were accumulated in the funded part of the pension. The notifications come. But how to take it? The state took my money for me and does not give it to me. Our party must make pay off the funded part," he said.

The party must revise the issue of improving life of veterans, he believes. Fewer than half a million of those who fought at the front (in World War II) remain. But they are replaced by those who participated in other combat actions. Bullets killed also in 1979, and mines injured. And why is there difference (in pensions for veterans)? the general added.

The congress adopted the charter and the programme of the party.

The Veterans of Russia want the political reform to be continued. In particular, they insist on removing the word "successive" from Article 81 of the Russian Constitution (on election of Russian president), thus removing the possibility for one person to be elected as president more than twice.

The party suggests lowering the barrier to enter the State Duma and legislatures of various levels to three percent of votes, forming Russian government from representatives of parliament parties, returning the line "against all" to ballots, holding TV debates with the participation of all candidates and giving the right to citizens for a vote of no-confidence against judges at polls.

In the economic area, the veterans favour stronger state support for industry and farming.

According to them, the pension must amount to 60 percent of the former wage.

The programme also specifies measures against corruption, such as setting up a new special service and broader using of a polygraph (a lie detector).

The work on the programme will continue.

The status of a veteran is not needed to become a member of the party, though the party's aim is uniting all Russian veterans.

At present, there are over 3,500 veteran organizations in the country, congress participants noted.

The delegates by secret ballot elect leadership bodies of the new party.

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