He hosted a reception at the Coral Strand hotel where he honoured Seychellois veterans who took part in the war.

Among those who attended the event were former President James Mancham, ministers, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan, members of the diplomatic corps, top clerics, senior civil servants and Russians based here.

For the first time Seychellois have been able to follow indepth reports on the war as it affected the Soviet Union through the newly launched Russia Today programme on Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation.

Mr Kalinin said how nearly every Russian family suffered from the war, and named his close relatives who were either maimed or killed then.

“I would like to stress that Victory Day is very special to Soviet and Russian people. 65 years ago on May 8, 1945 in Berlin, an instrument of unconditional Surrender was signed by Nazi Germany. It was witnessed and countersigned by allied states: USSR, USA, UK and France. Since that time this day is widely celebrated as Victory Day in Europe. For us in Russia it is also a Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War for which the lives of 27 million people were sacrificed,” he said.

He led the guests in observing a moment of silence for the 55 million people killed in World War II.
Community Development, Youth Sports and Culture Minister Vincent Meriton read President James Michel’s message to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in which Mr Michel extended to the government and the people of the Russian Federation his own and our warmest and sincere felicitations.

“I note with satisfaction that our two countries have maintained good relations over the years and it is my fervent belief that based on our continued history of friendship and mutual understanding, the future will bear witness to a strengthening of the existing bonds between our two countries,” President Michel’s message said.

Forrás: http://www.nation.sc/index.php?art=19398