Legion Joins with Russians to Gather POW/MIA Information

PHOENIX--(Business Wire)--
In 1992, the governments of the United States and the Russian
Federation joined together to form the United States-Russia Joint
Commission on POW/MIAs, a project designed to provide a forum for both
nations to work toward a full accounting of their missing servicemen.
The American Legion is now an active partner in the effort.

The Legion signed an agreement with the War Veterans Committee of
the Commonwealth of Independent States (countries which previously
made up the Soviet Union) to support the activities of the U.S.-Russia
Joint Commission in their efforts to determine the fates of POWs and
MIAs. The American Legion passed a resolution at its Spring National
Executive Committee Meetings last May to sign on with the commission.

The pact was signed Monday in Phoenix by American Legion National
Commander Marty Conatser and retired Gen. Ruslan Aushev, president of
the War Veterans Committee. Aushev also addressed delegates of The
American Legion's 90th National Convention in Phoenix regarding
Russia's role in helping the United States identify current POW/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 and
the former president of Ingushetia, a republic bordering Chechnya -
spoke optimistically of the partnership between the two organizations
and two countries.

"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 in Afghanistan. Aushev
said the United States can reciprocate in helping discover the fate of
those soldiers.

"When I was fighting in Afghanistan, the Americans actually helped
the mujahideen 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."

The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a
strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic
youth programs. The Legion's 2.7 million wartime veterans work for the
betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across
the nation.

The American Legion
National Convention Headquarters, Phoenix, Arizona
Joe March or Craig Roberts
602-514-7965 Office
602-514-7967 Fax
317-748-1926 Cell
317-441-8847 Cell
Web Site: www.legion.org

Copyright Business Wire 2008