Once upon a time I wrote a story about a front line soldier who, on going to the front, addressed his beloved with the following words: " We shall lead a well-to-do life after the war." But he returned crippled. We have been living in peace for forty five years already, but neither the soldiers of the War of the Fatherland, nor their sons, nor their grandchildren, participants in the Afghan War, have lived normal lives. The time rolls by, but grief remains on earth, non the less. The whole world has changed after the war, but paradoxically enough the vanquished lead prosperous life and the victors suffer from ignorance and poverty.
We must realize once and for all that political idle fancies and a chimera of the bright future have suppressed the forces of reason and creativity. This is especially valid concerning all that is pertinent to nuclear violence. Going into raptures over military might is vicious. The greatness of a state is defined by its attitude toward man and his lifestyle. Earth men must realize themselves in practice as a single knitted family. At least we must understand that values common to all mankind must be give top priority, vis-a-vis military and position-of-strength aspirations. Unwise politics has always made a rod for its own back.
In the Abai region, where for over forty years there sounded nuclear explosions, a mother of three leukemia-affected children called for help, pleading with me thus: "Brother, help me! We are dying. For God’s sake save my children!" And my ears are still ringing with that wretched woman’s voice. One more time I ask the question: "What should the writer’s stand be?" And probably, I won’t be able to find a reply til my very last day.
But, turn to look the children in the face, who suffer from ailments. Don’t pass by; lend a helping hand; do something good for them. You can.
Neither happiness, nor peace will there be on Earth, if a child, worn out by disease, cries and languishes; no achievements, boons or satiety then justify mankind.
My dear compatriot! I would like to tell you that we cannot just remain passive witnesses of what is going around. I am sure of your support, and I am addressing the Regional Soviet of People’s Deputies, with a request to allow me to open in Semipalatinsk, an account for "The Foundation for Children-Victims of Nuclear Tests." The anti-nuclear "Nevada-Semipalatinsk" movement befittingly accomplishes its main task of stopping nuclear tests in the whole world. The foundation in question is to alleviate the fate of sick children, cripples, orphans, large families, particularly, the children stricken by ecological catastrophes and natural calamities. The encouragement and practical support of doomed children is a constituent part of the nuclear test victims’ movement.
