Afghan war veterans from Kazakhstan have united into one association as separate organizations in different regions and cities deciding to merge. Today, they elected a chairman of the new association and held their first meeting in Astana.

Kairat Zhanabayev, Chairman, Almaty Regional Afghan War Veterans Association
«Afghan war veterans have to promote education of our rising generation in the spirit of patriotism of our country now as never before, which is why we are role-models for these young people.»

A member of the Lower House of Parliament, Lieutenant General Bakytzhan Yertaev will represent the coordination council at the government level. In his new capacity he has already discussed the first and, perhaps, the main issue for today which lies in the bill on veterans, which will equate Afghan war veterans with veterans of the Second World War together with his colleagues.

Anatoly Mitrofanov, Afghan War Veteran (Kokshetau)
«It is not about benefits and most people understand that. The point is that the younger generation should see that if they serve in the army and give their heart and soul to their country, they will later be protected and have some rights and benefits based on the example of the Second World War soldiers and veterans.»

There are currently more than eighteen thousand Afghan war veterans in the country. The new association will now protect their interests at the national level. Liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster and soldiers who served at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site may join them in the future.