MOSCOW. Sept 26 (Interfax-AVN) - An International Association of Women Veterans of Regional Wars will be set up shortly in Russia, Larisa Romanova, the wife of a wounded Russian general, announced a news conference at the Interfax main office on Friday.
Larisa is the wife of Colonel General Anatoly Romanov, former commander of the Interior Ministry's forces, deputy interior minister, commander of the Combined Federal Forces in Chechnya in 1995, and Hero of Russia, who is 55 years old on Friday. He has been in the hospital since he was gravely injured in 1995.
The idea of such an association emerged long ago. "The number of invalids of various wars and military conflicts is increasing. One cannot simply wait and show sympathy. One should do creative work in helping the invalids feel like equal members of society," Romanova said.
"The International Association of Women Veterans of Regional Wars will be a force in Russian society capable of protection and leadership," Romanova said. The association will bring together women who served in Hungary, Algiers, Egypt, the Yemeni Arab Republic, Vietnam, Syria, Angola, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Laos, Lebanon and Chechnya, she said.
"People need strong sympathy that brings one back to life. They need support that does not quit or retreat. An International Association of Women Veterans of Regional Wars is bound to be set up shortly," Romanova said.
Women who know the taste and smell of war will do their utmost so that their sons, brothers and husbands should not mark their birthdays in hospital beds, she said.
Her work on setting up the association is the best birthday present she can give her husband, Romanova said.