Združenje za vrednote slovenske osamosvojitve www.glasdomovine.si
Zaloška cesta 65 št. 29 leto VII
1000 Ljubljana 31. 1. 2020
GLAS DOMOVINE Independence of Slovenia
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KAZALO
Uvodnik 3
Slovenia's independence 5
Application form 23
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UVODNIK
Drage bralke in bralci spletnega časopisa Glas domovine!
Glas domovine izhaja že slabih sedem let in do sedaj nismo še nikoli objavili tujih prispevkov ali prevodov za angleško govoreče Slovence v izseljenstvu. Pri tej številki smo imeli v mislih predvsem mlade Slovence, tretjo in četrto generacijo ter vse naslednje bodoče generacije, ki živijo v tujini in jim je slovenščina tuji jezik, zavedajo pa se svojih korenin in jih spoštujejo, ter jih zgodovina njihove domovine tudi zanima. V prvi vrsti njim je namenjena ta številka spletnega časopisa, da si o zlati dobi Slovenstva, ko smo si kot narod sami pisali svojo sodbo, lahko sami ustavrijo podobo, kako je bilo, ko smo se osamosvojili, ko je Slovenija stopila na pot demokratizacije. Nekateri se bodo morda še spomnili, kako so svojim staršem, babicam in dedkom pomagali v tistih junijsko-julijskih dneh 1991, ko so pred ambasadami in vladnimi palačami držav, v katerih so živeli, manifestirali in prosili, da naj njihovi voditelji Sloveniji čim prej podelijo mednarodno priznanje. Pogosto namreč pozabimo, da so bili ravno Slovenci po svetu tisti, ki so odločilno vplivali na svoje vladne predstavnike, da so Sloveniji že decembra 1991, največ pa v prvih mesecih leta 1992 podelili mednarodno priznanje. Prav tako ni bila majhna finančna pomoč, ki so jo Slovenci po svetu namenili za Slovenijo, opustošeno od agresije Jugoslovanske ljudske armade. V tej številki je predstavljena kratka zgodovina osamosvojitve za angleško govoreče Slovence po svetu. Hkrati pa je lahko pričujoče besedilo tudi pomoč pri pouku domoljubja pri predmetu angleščina ali medpredmetnem povezovanju. Besedilo oz podatki so v pomoč tudi vsem, ki imamo prijatelje v tujini in jim ob obisku želimo predstaviti nekaj iz zgodovine slovenskega naroda. Nenazadnje pa je kratka zgodovina demokratizacije in osamosvojitve Republike Slovenije dobro izhodišče za promocijo mlade države, ki bo v naslednjem letu dopolnila 30 let. Angleško besedilo sta pripravili mag. Alenka Gortan, prof. španščine in angleščine ter Tina Matoz, univ. dipl. slovenistka. Strokovno je besedilo pregledala zgodovinarka Simona Pavlič. V kolikor pod posamezno sliko vir ni naveden, je fotografija last muzejske zbirke Združenja VSO.
Veliko užitkov ob branju!
Uredništvo Glas domovine
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EDITORIAL
Dear readers of Glas domovine magazine,
Glas domovine magazine has been present for seven years and so far we have never published any articles in foreign languages for English speaking Slovenes abroad. In this issue we kept in mind mostly young Slovenes, third and fourth generation and all generations to come, who live abroad therefore Slovenian is a foreign language to them. But they are well aware of their roots and nourish a deep respect and interest towards history of their homeland. This issue is dedicated especially to them so that they will be eble to educate themselves on the golden era of Slovenian nation, when people wrote their own judge. They will be able to create themselves an image of how it felt when we gained independence, when Slovenia took a path towards democratisation. Some may still remember how they helped their parents, grandparents in June and July 1991 while protesting in front of embassies and government palaces in their countries, pleeing their leaders to give Slovenia international recognision. We often forget that Slovenes around the world were the ones who made an decisive impact on government representatives to, some in December 1991, others in early 1992, international recognition to Slovenia. Slovenians around the globe also helped financially a lot so that Slovenia, devastated from many attacks of Yugoslavian army, could slowly recover. In this issue we represent short history of this era for English speaking Slovenians around the world. This can also serve as a great patriotism material for English classes. Text and data could help all those with friends abroad, who would like to learn more about Slovenian history. After all this short history of democratisation is a good starting point for promotion of our young country, who is turning 30 this year. English translations were made by mag. Alenka Gortan, Spanish and English professor. Original text was reviewed by historian Simona Pavlič.
Enjoy,
Glas domovine editorial board
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The golden era of Slovenian democratization and independency
This was the period from late 80's of the 20th century, when first initiatives for different (multi-party and democratic) political arrangement appeared. That was the time when the intellectuals in 57th edition of Nova revija presented their vision of Slovenian National Programme which became the basis for DEMOS's (Democratic Opposition of Slovenia) programme of independence, through Slovenian Spring, ignited by the so-called JBTZ Affair. 90's were a decade which was marked with proclamation of independent Republic of Slovenia in 1991, followed by the 10-day independence war and international recognition a year later.
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57th edition of Nova Revija (New Magazine) magazine
n the 57th edition of Nova Revija monthly which was subtitled as Prispevki za slovenski nacionalni program (Contributions to Slovenian national programme), 16 esteemed I Slovenian intellectuals had written their views on social and political crisis in Yugoslavia and unbearable situation of Slovenian nation within the existing state. Socialistična zveza delovnega ljudstva (Socialist union of working people SZDL) arranged a presidency meeting. The discussion about 57th edition of Nova Revija went on for four hours. Considerable pressure was exerted on the authors; editors Niko Grafenauer and Dimitrij Rupel were immediately deposed and replaced. But the liberation process started and there was no turning back. 57th edition of Nova Revija produced the Opposition's national and political programme.
The original cover of 57th edition of Nova Revija magazine
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Arrest of Janez Janša and the Trial against the Four JBTZ
anez Janša, Ivan Borštner, David Tasič and Franci Zavrl (the JBTZ Four) got hands on notes from a secret meeting of the central committee of the League of Communist of J Yugoslavia with detailed plans for arrests of journalists and dissidents in Slovenia. Their possession of these documents gave the YPA the pretext it needed. On 31st May 1988, Janez Janša was arrested. Military Police arrested sergeant Ivan Borštner and a few days later also David Tasič and Franci Zavrl were arrested. They were all charged with betraying military secrets. The trial was held in camera, in a Serbo-Croatian language and served only to alienate Slovenes from Yugoslavia. The public impact was impetuous! Igor Bavčar formed a Human Rights Committee and organised 5 major public demonstrations to support the JBTZ Four. The demonstrations were attended by 30,000 people and introduced the beginning of the Slovenian Spring and awakening of the new, independent Slovenia. In 1995 Slovenian Supreme Court nullified the verdict against JBTZ.
Mass demonstration on Kongresni trg (Congress Square) to support the Four (photo: Janez Janša personal archive) 7 Glas domovine – 29/VII – 2020
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The May Declaration he May Declaration was a political statement, prepared and presented by the first Opposition political parties. The Declaration was first read out loud by the late T Slovenian poet Tone Pavček on 8th May 1989 at the mass rally in support of The four JBTZ and Janez Janša, who was then arrested for the second time. The Declaration states:
The signatories of this document declare that: 1. We want to live in a sovereign state of the Slovenian nation;
2. As a sovereign state we demand to make independent decisions in accordance with South Slavic and other nations within renewed Europe;
• Based on historical efforts of Slovenian nation, a Slovenian state can only exist if it is based on the respect of human rights and freedoms. • In a democracy encompassing political pluralism, • In a society ensuring spiritual and material prosperity, in accordance with the available natural resources and human capacities of Slovenia's citizens.
Signatories of the declaration were the Slovenian Writers Association (DSP), the Slovenian Democratic Union (SDZ), the Peasant Union of Slovenia (SKZ), the Slovenian Christian Social Movement (SKSG), the Social Democratic Union of Slovenia (SDZS), the University Conference of the Alliance of the Socialist Youth of Slovenia (ZSMS) and the Society of Slovene Composers. 8th May 1989.
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Original May Declaration
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The birth of DEMOS
emocratic Opposition of Slovenia (also known as DEMOS) was a coalition of centre- right parties which was established when multiparty political life was finally D permitted in 1989. It was created on 4th December 1989 by Jože Pučnik (for Social Democrat Alliance of Slovenia), Hubert Požarnik (for Slovenian Democratic Union), Lojze Peterle (for Slovenian Christian Social Movement) and Ivan Oman (for Slovenian Farmer's Alliance). Some other political and interest groups joined later on. At the press conference (10th December 1989) the Opposition representatives explained that the Yugoslavian communists imposed their illegitimate political, state and economic monopoly on Slovenians. DEMOS formed two basic demands: a request for a civil society within a legal state, democracy and multi-party system as well as request for a national and state sovereignty of Slovenia. The leader of the coalition DEMOS was a famous dissident Jože Pučnik.
An example of DEMOS election poster
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The government of DEMOS
n April 1990 in the first democratic elections after the second World War, DEMOS won 54% of the votes and formed the first multiparty government to the state headed by the I Christian democrat Lojze Peterle, one of the most important representatives of DEMOS. The DEMOS government loudly demanded the enforcement of Slovenian sovereignty and complete reform of the Slovenian society. The communist parties were firmly against. Nevertheless, DEMOS enforced the plebiscite, which took place on 23rd December 1990. The voters were asked the question: »Should Republic of Slovenia become an independent and sovereign state?« The results were proclaimed in the Assembly: 88.5% of eligible voters (94.8% of those participating) had voted in favour of independence. 4% had voted against independence, 0,9 had cast invalid ballots. The results obliged Slovenian authorities to declare independence within six months. Then the most difficult but also the most successful period of DEMOS government began. The DEMOS government started the process of independence, won a brief war against YPA (Yugoslavian People's Army) and achieved diplomatic recognition, which were the achievements that have a special place in Slovenian history.
Image 6: The plebiscite ballot paper 11
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The making of Manevrska struktura Narodne Zaščite (Manoeuvre structures of National Protection – Slovenian armed forces) he current Slovenian Armed Forces are descended from the Slovenian Territorial defence (Teritorialna Obramba) formed in 1991 and secret alternative command T structure called Manoeuvre structures of National Protection. Yugoslav communist authorities strongly opposed to any idea of Slovenian independence. On 16th May 1990 (the very day when the DEMOS government took an oath) they began to disarm Territorial Defence in order to disable the making of Slovenian army. The process of disarmament left Slovenia without arms. In order to protect Slovenian interests, the ministers Janez Janša and Igor Bavčar organised the MSNZ – Manevrsko strukturo narodne zaščite (Manoeuvre structures of National Protection) whose mastermind (and later also the first commander) was Tone Krkovič. MSNZ was able to protect Slovenia against any kind of armed attack. Since May 1990 MSNZ kept developing and forming. On the first army parade In Kočevska Reka on 17th December 1990, the new Slovenian army was presented to the public for the first time. The prime minister Lojze Peterle said: »Today I could catch the first glimpse of Slovenian army for the very first time.« With MSNZ, Slovenia gained a very efficient and internally connected defence system which played a key role during the Ten-Day-War.
The first army parade in Kočevska Reka
(photo: Janez Janša personal archive) 12 Glas domovine – 29/VII – 2020
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Slovenian flag, coat-of-arms and anthem
lovenian national flag was defined by the Slovenian assembly on 24th June 1991. Despite heated discussions with strongly differing views, there was an agreement S taken. The former Slovenian coat-of-arms was to be substituted with a new one. In the middle of the shield, on a blue base, there is a stylised image of Triglav in white colour. Underneath, there are two wavy blue lines representing sea and rivers. Above them, there are three golden hexagon stars arranged in a shape of upside-down triangle representing the coat- of-arms of Counts of Celje. The shield is edged in red colour. Slovenian national anthem was confirmed by the assembly as early as 29th March 1990. It is based on the 7th stanza of Zdravljica, a carmen figuratum poem by the 19th century Romantic Slovene poet France Prešeren. It was set to music by Stanko Premrl.
Slovenian flag with coat-of-arms
(Photo: Robert Fojkar)
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The process of independence; Slovenia is independent!
he plebiscite's outcome, which confirmed almost 100% decision that Slovenian people do want to live in an independent country, has pledged the parliament to prepare T everything necessary for the actual passage in the independency as soon as possible. On 25th June 1991 the parliament accepted The Constitutional Charter of independency and Declaration of independence. A day before new coat-of-arms and flag were confirmed and with a new set of laws Republic of Slovenia took over the previous authorities of federation on its territory (Citizenship Act, Aliens Act, Passport Law, foreign affairs, foreign exchange bussiness, slovenian bank and customs). The solemn proclamation of the independent country took place on Trg Revolucije (nowadays called Trg Republike) the very next day, 26th June 1991.
The solemn proclamation of the independent country (Photo: Janez Janša personal archive)
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Ten-Day-War PA's aggression on Slovenia started on 26th June 1991 with an invasion in Vrhoplje pri Vipavi. The locals were stopping the tanks with their own hands, showing an Y incredible courage. The war begun. The first armed conflict on slovenian ground broke out at 4.AM in Poganci (between Metlika and Novo mesto) when JLA begun its march on border crossings. Slovenian armed forces blocked all the military barracks and switched off the electricity, water and telephones. Until 28th June 1991 slovenian army reached the balance by taking over multiple border crossings, military barracks, the eavesdropping centres and other YPA's facilities. On 30th June the president of federal government Ante Marković arrived to Ljubljana due to pressure of european politicians who demanded an agreement on the termination of the conflicts. The agreement was reached on Ljubljana's negotiations but YPA did not follow it and the conflicts continued. Slovenian army's decisive answer neutralised the enemy's activity therefore YPA units begun their retreat back to military barracks on 4th of July 1991. Slovenia regained control over its border crossings. YPA was beaten and on 26th October 1991, a few minutes after midnight, the last ferry with YPA soldiers on board left slovenian territorial waters. The key condition for international recognition was being fullfiled.
The declaration of war, issued by generalcolonel Konrad Kolšek, addressed to Lojze Peterle, Prime minister, instead of commander – state president Milan Kučan 15 Glas domovine – 29/VII – 2020
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Armed conflict in Rožna Dolina, Nova Gorica
Destruction on Brnik airport after YPA attack, where foreign reporters were killed (Photos: Janez Janša personal archive)
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The remains of YPA's helicopter, shoot down in Ig. The helicopter was on mission to level Ig to the ground. (Photo: Jože Jerome)
A piece of a cluster bomb. YPA dropped cluster bombs above Kočevska Reka and Medvedjek on 28th June 1991. It was dropped despite the fact that in accordance with international conventions their use was forbidden.
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Constitution acceptance and international recognition of Slovenia lovenian Republic assembly adopted the slovenian Constitution on 23rd December 1991. In its basic provisions the Constitution defined Slovenia as a democratic republic S and legal and social country, where people have the power. It ensured civil rights and liberties in line with the European democratic tradition. It ensured private property and free economy and restored the separation between legislation, judicial and executive power. Among the first to acknowledge the young country were Croatia, Georgia and Baltic States. But the decisive word on recognition of Slovenia was given by Germany and Vatican in January 1992. They were defending slovenian independency. Vatican acknowledged Slovenia on 13th January 1992, two days later followed the recognition from Western European Community. After that Slovenia started to become a part of international political integrations. As 176. member Slovenia was accepted in United Nations on 22nd May 1992. Oppositions to the independence process
lovenian nation was the most united in the period of Slovenian Spring and independence process (1988 – 1991). Despite the people's will (plebiscite for S independence on 23rd December 1990) and despite huge support people showed for Slovenian army in times of war in 1991, many politicians and high representatives of society pleaded against making of our own Slovenian army and state. Milan Kučan, the then president of the state, often claimed:
»We stand for Yugoslavia. Undoubtedly. « (1989) »Even thinking about leaving Yugoslavia is hard. Especially, since this has never been my most intimate option. I find it difficult to accept. « (1990) »They blame me for being against the secession. Even today I am still against it. « (2015)
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Articles, entitled for example: Independent Slovenia? No thanks! (1991) in a weekly newspaper Mladina, expressed strong will against secession on multiple occasions. Members of National Liberation Fighters from the Second world war wrote an open letter in which they state they were very much against Slovenia's secession from Yugoslavia. Janez Stanovnik even said that secession meant suicide for Slovenian nation which next generations would never forgive. Franco Juri, a member of Parliament, did not want to attend the solemn proclamation of independence at Kongresni trg saying he would rather just observe the sea instead. In a daily newspaper Dnevnik, Neven Borak alias Veno Karbone kept writing comments against the secession almost every day. Newspapers Delo, Dnevnik and Mladina ridiculed the idea of secession in caricatures and quotes. Ciril Zlobec, one of the presidency's president disclosed the date and plan of the secession to the Italian minister Christiani. This data supposed to be the most secured information for as long as possible in order to avoid becoming a target of Yugoslav Army.
Franco Juri's article Ciril Zlobec disclosing secured information to Italian Minister Christiani
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One of the "jokes", used to ridicule the One of Veno Karbone's columns independency idea, called Exercise 1: the instructions tell you to keep looking at the black dot until you see an image of independent Slovenia.
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Key actors of Slovenian independence
dr. Jože Pučnik The leader of DEMOS coalition and »father of democratic Slovenia« He is responsible that a democratic system and market economy were introduced to Slovenia. He is considered the father of Slovenian independence from Yugoslavia
Janez Janša
Defence Minister in DEMOS government
Igor Bavčar Interior Minister in DEMOS government
Tone Krkovič »Father of Slovenian army« Commander of MSNZ (Manoeuvre structures of national defence) and MORiS special brigade.
Lojze Peterle
the president of DEMOS government
(Photos: Janez Janša personal archive)
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Museum collection is opened for visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM – 2 PM and on Wednesdays from 1 PM – 5 PM. Guided tours are avaliable also outside office hours by prior arrangement. Arrangements and information: [email protected] Telephone number: 08 382 35 30 or 059 03 45 08 Free entrance
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Application form
to become a member of Association for values of Slovenian independence
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Združenje za vrednote slovenske osamosvojitve, Zaloška cesta 65, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija
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Naslovnica: Jože Jerome Fotografije: Arhiv VSO in osebni arhiv Janeza Janše
Spletna stran Združenja VSO: www.vso.si Spremljajte VSO tudi preko socialnih omrežij: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zdruzenje.za.vrednote.slovenske.osamosvojitve/?fref=ts Twitter: @VSO_Slovenija
ISSN: 2350-4684 Glas domovine Urednica: Simona Pavlič Izdaja: Združenje za vrednote slovenske osamosvojitve, Zaloška 65, 1000 Ljubljana Elektronski spletni časopis 31. 1. 2020 24 Glas domovine – 29/VII – 2020