Today, on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the JBTZ-trial, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, met Ivan Borštner, David Tasič, and Franci Zavrl in the courtyard of Nova revija publishing company. The four men gathered to commemorate a scandal that had an important impact on the Slovenian political scene in the second half of the 1980s.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

The PM said that nineteen years ago there was an attempt to stop a process that had only just begun and had been centred on the fight for human rights. The event generated the energy needed to spark democratic changes and the eventual independence of Slovenia. According to the PM, the arrest of the four principals involved (JBTZ) and their trial was a kind of litmus test of Slovenia's courage, which at that time first spilled into the streets and markets, and was aimed at protecting the human rights of others. Fear was overcome, and the repressive regime of the time began to lose its power. Later, this was confirmed at the first democratic and free elections, and with Slovenia's independence.

 

In reply to a journalist's question about information leaks from the Slovene Intelligence and Security Agency (SOVA), and its collaboration with foreign intelligence services, Mr Janša said that this was a very serious issue. He regretted that some people, who obviously feel guilty because of the misuse they had caused in SOVA, are now trying to avert attention. Moreover, he added, they are even prepared to discredit their work and the state only to present their actions, which were barely legal, in a different light. According to the PM, their number is not substantial, as only a few members of the Commission for Supervision of the Intelligence and Security Services of the National Assembly and the former leading employees of SOVA had access to such information. He cautioned that something similar occurred in 2000 when the Bajuk cabinet was sworn in. The perpetrators were soon found, and the PM believes that this is what will happen now.

 

Mr Janša also said that not everything that had been published was accurate. However, there is still a substantial amount of information available that should not be made public. In addition, a lot of information was added in order to cover the tracks; however, according to the PM, the issue does not pose a threat to the security of Slovenia or any other European country. "There has been much exaggeration with regard to this, and also with the aim of diverting attention. The government will complete its task of restoring order to SOVA, and ensure that in future, everything will be done in accordance with the Constitution and the law. The government will not succumb to the pitiful attempts with which some individuals who took part in illegal activities are trying to make themselves look better at the cost of discrediting the country," the PM said determinedly, dismissing allegations that SOVA is to be broken up and its work divided between three services under different ministries.