Today in Slovenj Gradec, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended a meeting of the Union of Veterans of the War for Slovenia and the Sever Association called "United in War – United in Peace", where he held the introductory speech. At this occasion he stressed that Slovenia’s independence has been and often continues to be devalued. "You either are a veteran or you are not," he said. "This is something that may neither be bought nor inherited. The social and health issues of Slovenia's veterans must be properly addressed." Janša said that it was our duty to make things different so that being a veteran may become a lasting value, not only the object of memorial ceremonies.
Prime Minister Janez Janša, President of the Union of Veterans of the War for Slovenia Srečko Lisjak and President of the Sever Association Milan Horvat (Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
"The creation of the independent state of Slovenia is the most important event in our history," said the prime minister, who continued by saying that at that time many decision makers worldwide were not enthusiastic about our common desire to have our own country. "After it was created, we had to embark on the slow and systematic journey of convincing the world that we wanted only what they had already had for decades or even centuries. We showed the world and ourselves that our homeland is not a stale and backward place, but an active part of the European and international community, where what matters is not the size but the capacity of committed participation. Our endeavours were finally crowned by the integration of Slovenia into the EU and the NATO" stated Janša.
"During our war of independence, while defending Slovenia we were the target of injuries by our open and hidden enemies. The first to experience our power was the Yugoslav army, one of the biggest in Europe in terms of troops and equipment, which had to admit defeat in Slovenia. Unfortunately we now see that Slovenia's independence has been and often continues to be devalued. Many have striven to and persist in soiling our independence and blemishing its reputation. It is not a coincidence that at the time of the 15th anniversary of Slovenia's independence what happened in Holmec or Rožna Dolina during the war is being presented as an incident by certain groups. What is interesting is that many of these people are the very same ones who opposed Slovenia's independence movement, often in Machiavellian ways. Again, it is not a coincidence that the signatories to the protest against the Slovenian Army's participation in the central celebration of Statehood Day are mostly the same individuals that, immediately before the war in 1991, signed a declaration against the formation of the Slovenian Army and publicly spoke against defending our independence with force, because they knew that without force there would be no independent Slovenian state," said the prime minister.
The prime minister was the main speaker at the ceremony (Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
Janša said that veterans are an important component of civil society in every culture. True veterans, recognized and respected by the civilized world, are never ideologically biased; on the contrary, they always strive to overcome hatred. "Slovenia has a deep-rooted and glorious veterans' tradition. A veterans' organization may never be a political organization. It also may never include members that were not even born at the time of the war. You either are a veteran or you are not. This is something that may neither be bought nor inherited in any biological or ideological way" added the prime minister.
"The period after achieving independence was a hard one for many veterans, and certainly there are some among them who are disappointed in the Slovenian state. Not only they did not obtain the recognition and benefits enjoyed up until then by another group of veterans, but they were often insulted and many lost their jobs. This government is endeavouring to ensure the proper economic status to veterans of Slovenia's war of independence. It is paramount to be a part of European and global progress and to take advantage of its positive sides. Our goal is to establish a state of happy people, a state where people are proud to be part of a successful and tightly linked community. In the same spirit that guided us when obtaining our independence, which was made possible owing to the particular circumstances of that period, we must adapt to current world economic conditions and make the most of them. This is neither easy nor simple, but it can be done with a proper amount of determination," Janša continued.
Prime Minister Janez Janša is presented with a ceremonial veteran's uniform by the President of ZVVS Srečko Lisjak (Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
"The benefits enjoyed by the current generations are considerable and measurable. In this 15th year of independence Slovenia's future is insured through international integration. The rate of inflation is the lowest since the establishment of Slovenia, as is the unemployment rate, while economic growth is among the highest since 1991. This corroborates the correctness of our decision and confirms the veterans' contribution in 1990 and 1991 to be a lasting, historical and solid contribution to the lives of future generations.
"What you did in the critical years of 1990 and 1991 was something unique, something that nobody before you had ever done. The results are also unique. The fruits of Slovenia's independence and of the war for its defence will not be enjoyed only by the generation that took part in it, they will be harvested by all future generations," concluded Prime Minister Janez Janša.
