|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You Are
Here: |
Local News|
Friday, January 25, 2008 - Web posted at 6:51:59 GMT War veterans pacified after meeting with President DENVER ISAACSPRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba's almost three-hour-long meeting with an association of disgruntled war veterans ended on a high note for the group on Wednesday night, when they apparently decided to put to rest all their grievances against Government. |
|
Association spokesperson Alex Kamwi said yesterday that threats by the group to refrain from voting in the next elections, and that they intended to organise a similar demonstration to one they held last year, had now been withdrawn. The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, had been called by President Pohamba, Ministry of Veterans' Affairs Permanent Secretary William Amagulu said yesterday. Amagulu declined to comment on the meeting, referring The Namibian to the Office of the President, but nobody there was available for comment either. According to Kamwi, Pohamba used the opportunity to clear the air around statements allegedly made from Government's side against the group and emphasised a need to communicate better with them than in the past. "We explained our reasons for saying what we did last year, because some people had been saying we were never called to go into exile. We were assured this was said in mistake," Kamwi said. The group last year expressed unhappiness with Government's statement that no one had been forced into joining the armed struggle for the country's liberation, and that joining the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) was a voluntary decision with no monetary compensation promised. "To all ex-fighters, let's forget the things that were said last year, like that we are not Swapo. These were all mistakes, and the President made it clear that if it weren't for us calling on his door, the Ministry (of Veterans' Affairs) would not have been formed," Kamwi insisted. He said his association was now waiting for the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs to complete the process of registering all war veterans, especially since Government had revealed it plans to increase the monthly grant veterans receive. Government did not disclose to the association by how much it would increase this monthly grant, Kamwi said. Speculation around a supposed leaked submission to Cabinet by Veterans' Affairs Minister Ngarikutuke Tjiriange earlier this month had it that the Minister proposed an increase from the current N$500 to either N$1 500, N$2 500, or N$3 000 a month. Kamwi further said yesterday that his association hoped to be able to volunteer and help the Ministry in its registration process. "The Ministry, as we have heard, is currently understaffed, so perhaps we may be able to assist," Kamwi said. The association has even gone as far as inviting President Pohamba to be its patron. Pohamba, after accepting their constitution to peruse, still had to get back to them on that, Kamwi said. Meanwhile, Minister Tjiriange appeared on the national broadcaster on Wednesday night to make a statement aimed at updating the nation on his recently established ministry. The Minister said he hoped revisiting the Veterans' Bill, passed by Parliament in November last year, would be one of the first activities undertaken by the National Assembly when its session resumes. The National Council had referred the bill back to the National Assembly with suggested changes. A workshop to discuss and finalise draft amendments to this bill is scheduled for next week at Gobabis. |
|
||||
PO Box 20783 - Windhoek - 42 John Meinert Street Tel: +264 (61) 279600 - Fax: +264 (61) 279602
|
