Legion joins with Russians to gather POW/MIA information

The American Legion signed an agreement last week with the War Veterans Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (nine of 15 former Soviet republics), supporting activities of the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POWs/MIAs. The Legion's National Executive Committee passed a resolution last May at its Spring Meetings to sign on with the commission, formed in 1992 by Washington and Moscow.

The pact was signed by outgoing American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser and retired Gen. Ruslan Aushev, president of the War Veterans Committee, during the 90th American Legion National Convention in Phoenix on Aug. 25. Aushev spoke to the Legion's National Security and Foreign Relations Commissions on Russia's role in helping the United States identify POWs and MIAs.

"This is a first step in cooperation, and this is a first step in accountability," Conatser said. "As we look at the common thread of veterans worldwide, the cooperative efforts of all veterans groups will make a huge difference in the world. We appreciate this first effort. Where it progresses to is yet to be seen, but you've got to start with a first step."

Aushev, a decorated Soviet veteran who fought in Afghanistan, spoke optimistically of the partnership between the two organizations and two countries. He is also former president of Ingushetia, a republic bordering Chechnya.

"We can, and are willing, to help our American colleagues to resolve (POW/MIA) issues," Aushev said through a translator. "We are convinced that the humanitarian aspect alone should prevail over departmental and bureaucratic considerations ... This is specifically true to finding persons who were witnesses to events in the Korean and Vietnam wars. In these areas, we can be of interest to the American side."

Russia has 271 soldiers missing in action from Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1988). Aushev said the United States can reciprocate in helping to discover the fate of those soldiers.

"When I was fighting in Afghanistan, the Americans actually helped the mujahedeen to attack and to capture our soldiers," Aushev said. "The Pakistani secret service has a lot of information ... (and) the United States has a very good relationship with (them). Both sides of the commission, the Americans and the Russians, need to work actively to resolve these issues so that those who gave their lives on foreign land can be returned to their own homeland."

U.S.-RUSSIA JOINT COMMISSION ON POWS AND MIAS

SOVIET-AFGHAN WAR

RUSLAN AUSHEV BIO

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