PULA, March 15 (Hina) - The World Veterans' Federation's Standing Committee on European Issues discussed democracy and human rights on the second day of its conference in the northern Adriatic port of Pula. Introductory speeches on
the matter were made by representatives of humanitarian and non-governmental organisations, which have experience in eliminating the consequences the war leaves on individuals and society. According to Branko Bosnjak, a representative of the Association of Croatian Homeland War Veterans, the war veterans issue is marked in Southeast Europe, on the territory of the former Yugoslav federation where war waged not so long ago. "The issue of (the veterans') social and material standing is at the moment a major burden for the states they live in. Given that the World Veterans' Federation was established 50 years ago to assist those who took part in World War Two
PULA, March 15 (Hina) - The World Veterans' Federation's Standing
Committee on European Issues discussed democracy and human rights
on the second day of its conference in the northern Adriatic port of
Pula.
Introductory speeches on the matter were made by representatives of
humanitarian and non-governmental organisations, which have
experience in eliminating the consequences the war leaves on
individuals and society.
According to Branko Bosnjak, a representative of the Association of
Croatian Homeland War Veterans, the war veterans issue is marked in
Southeast Europe, on the territory of the former Yugoslav
federation where war waged not so long ago.
"The issue of (the veterans') social and material standing is at the
moment a major burden for the states they live in. Given that the
World Veterans' Federation was established 50 years ago to assist
those who took part in World War Two return to and join normal
living, (the federation) now wants to achieve the same goals in the
Southeast Europe region," Bosnjak said.
The Pula conference, which gathers representatives of war veterans
and military-diplomatic officials from about 40 countries, is
being held under the auspices of Croatian President Stipe Mesic.
According to World Veterans' Federation secretary Marek
Hagmajeraja, this year's particular success is that the conference
for the first time gathered representatives of war veterans'
associations who only three or four years ago fought against each
other, but who he said are also familiar with the overall tragedy of
war.
(hina) ha jn