SLOVENIA FOUGHT ITS LAST BATTLES IN EUROPE
The Commemoration of the 55th Anniversary of the end of the II. World War
Address by the President of the Republic of Slovenia Milan Kucan

Poljana near Prevalje, 14 May 2000


Ladies and gentlemen, participants of this commemoration, high representatives of the then allied forces, other guests, friends, dear comrades,

Today’s commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the last major engagements between the Slovene partisan army in mid May 1945 here in Poljana and its immediate vicinity may inspire us with self-confidence, pride and optimism about the future. Until the very end of the war, the Slovene nation remained a loyal element of the democratic allied forces, it fought its last battles in Europe and thus lived to see the end of the war and freedom later than all other European nations. But when freedom came, the Slovenes were winners, because they had allied with the right side in this great global conflict. In this valley today there are all generations; from the youngest to the oldest – those who actually lived through the war. We gathered, because we are proud of and we cherish the resistance of the Slovene partisans. We are here because the Slovene national liberation movement makes part of the very foundations of the new Slovene state.

Slovenia is one of those freedom-loving and democratic countries of Europe which stood up to German nazi and Italian fascist occupation, and after years of long fighting and dreadful suffering in May 1945 as a member of a strong alliance lived to see victory, joy and freedom. This is why the events in Poljana, which we are celebrating today, are significant also in European framework. In May 55 years ago when European capitals such as Paris, London and Rome were already rejoicing together with Ljubljana, Celje and Maribor, parts of Carinthia were still torn by a cruel war. During these last skirmishes of the conflict, continuing for a week after the official end of the war in Europe, partisans of the legendary XIV division of the Slovene National Liberation Army were still dying. This division together with the troops of the Yugoslav Partisan Army was carrying out the decision made by the Allies on unconditional surrender and capitulation of the nazi German army.

Nazi soldiers and collaborationist military formations, which had committed several crimes in Southern and Central Europe starting with Greece, refused to lay down arms. They were afraid of a just condemnation. Only a bloody confrontation and defeat on 15 May finally forced them to give up and this was the end of the Second World War in Europe. It ended on Slovene soil - the last entry in historical records describing four years of atrocities and violence. After a four-year-long nightmare some were lucky enough to cry of joy, whilst there were those who lost their lives on the brink of freedom. Some of them died in a fratricidal fight on May 1945 in Borovlje, not far from Poljana, when the members of the Slovene Home Guard helped by the Germans attacked partisan units, which were liberating the Slovene part of Carinthia. Fratricide, which tragically culminated in irrational killings after the war, is a painful experience for a small people of two million. We must never again commit fratricide, we should have never allowed mutual killings, intolerance and retaliations. Not even in the name of ideological truth, which is never more important than human lives and national interests.

The 20th century in Europe had many self-destroying and evil elements. Europe was devastated by two world wars. It was torn by risings and falls of ideological, political and social totalitarianisms. Nevertheless, a new democratic consciousness of Europe germinated from this bitter experience, an understanding that European states and peoples must never again repeat that part of their history. This is not just a conviction of political elites and statesmen – it is the conviction and demand of every modern European. Also for this reason does the great project of united Europe stand on realist grounds. Also for this reason the Slovene people and the Slovene nation do belong to this united Europe. Slovene participation in the democratic alliance of the Second World War gives the Slovenes additional right and responsibility to play an active role in creating a common European future.

This year we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the plebiscite on independence and the independent Slovene state. What immense enthusiasm and creative tumult permeated us ten years ago. In those days it seemed we overcame all divisions, we believed that no discords, conflicts or even hatred would ever again arise between us. All political parties rose above their narrow interests and prioritised the national interest. Despite all our, also political, differences, we were united and in the spirit of solidarity we bravely persevered the period of most severe political fights with the Belgrade political regime and even armed confrontations with the Yugoslav National Army (some of which took place nearby in Holmec and Viè). In this way we convinced the international community to support and recognise us. We managed to avoid the bloodshed, destruction and genocide of war in the Balkans and therefore we could concentrate on the implementation of expectations expressed in the decision for an independent Slovene state. It seemed that the differences during the Second World War and successful co-operation during the struggle for independence taught us a lesson and calmed us down. It seemed we would let everyone live with their own truth about those crucial times, which tragically divided the Slovene nation, and that everyone would have the right to give arguments for decisions they made and actions they took at the time, because we would all strive for our common future. It is only future that we can influence. Past is behind us, it cannot be altered and history has already judged it.

However, it was not quite as it seemed. When external dangers subsided, political difference again emerged as well as competition and democratic efforts for a visible participation in those bodies which rule and manage the state. This is a normal and useful phenomenon in the political life of any pluralist democracy. But this coincided with the resurfacing of old ideological patterns and political intolerance, even discrimination and unwillingness to co-operate. Adverse effects, political and ideological goals, bias and distrust seem to become more important than the interests of the nation and the state, among which I believe are also internal reforms and the state’s assertive international orientation towards Europe, European integrations and relations with the neighbouring countries. If we lag behind in accession negotiations with the EU and in meeting the criteria for NATO membership, our national interest will suffer long-term consequences. Slovenia can easily lose the status of one of the most likely and credible candidates.

What the state needs is long-term political stability. In the political situation which was created after the Slovene People’s Party announced it would leave the government coalition, in my opinion this essential political stability could have been achieved in a relatively short time by organising elections as soon as possible. People’s will would redistribute trust among different parties. A new parliament, reflecting this people’s will, would elect a new government for a full term of office and authorise it to deal with most demanding tasks Slovenia is facing domestically and internationally. This is why I strived for elections to be held as early as possible. The members of the parliament outvoted such a solution by one vote. This one vote established a new fragile political majority in the National Assembly. These members of the parliament are now fully responsible for the functioning of the government, which will be in power until the autumn parliamentary elections. It would be bad for the state if for the next six months all life in the country remained in the shadow of pre-election campaigns. Parties may afford such lengthy campaigns – the state cannot. People, the citizens of this state, expect their problems to continue being solved, that there will be no halting or standstills. We all are accountable to these people, including the government - the previous and the new one, which the citizens will judge by its actions.

Parties still have time to also decide on introducing a two-round majority electoral system required by the Constitutional Court. Despite pre-election competition, they should strive for a solution, which they would all agree to pass as a law and then hold a referendum on this law. People’s will, they often refer to, would thus be incontestably established and binding. I would like to believe that common sense will prevail in all parties and that they will find a solution, which will be supported by the required majority. Furthermore, I believe that by voting at these elections we will be able to judge which parties are willing to restore co-operation and healthy competition - which prioritise the national interest and welfare of its citizens over their own party interests. This judgment will be final, legal and legitimate.

Historia magistra vitae est – History is the teacher of life and today’s commemoration is a great lesson. I would be pleased and so would you, I believe, if this would hold true for all of us. Only in this way will today’s generations be able to perform their duty to younger ones and provide them a good, safe and happy life in Slovenia, successfully heading towards Europe. I wish you enjoyed this day contemplating friendship, freedom and peace as demanded by this monument.