As of April 1, 2010, 3,640 veterans of the Great Patriotic War were living in Armenia, Acting Chairman of the RA Union of Veterans Simon Yesayan informed NEWS.am.

According to him, people that served on the home front were reckoned as veterans in the Soviet Union, whereas in independent Armenia they are participants in hostilities, survived the Leningrad blockade and those born in concentration camps. “We respect those who served on the home front, but the Republic of Armenia does not view them as war veterans,” Yesayan said.

As regards social benefits for war veterans, he pointed out that the monthly pay is 20,000 AMD (about U.S. $50). “It is not a small amount, but it depreciated as prices rose. Some problems have been resolved – veterans do not pay for public transport services – others remain unsolved,” Yesayan said. He reported that about 20 war veterans now residing in Gyumri and Spitak still have no flats. The Union requested the Government to provide them with flat as soon as possible.

T.P.