'The whole world admires Slovenia's success in building freedom and prosperity. And now we look to you to play a crucial role as we build a better future for all of Europe,' remarked President Bill Clinton in June of 99 upon his visit to our capital Ljubljana. That is the Slovenia of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
.
Let me tell you also about my journey in life. As a child, I stared at the watchtowers and barbed wire fences on the border with Hungary at the end of World War II. They were put up and guarded by Warsaw pact soldiers. That was our Berlin wall. I wondered why I was no longer allowed to go and see the children across the border, why the Hungarian soldiers would shoot people who were trying to cross the border to Slovenia.

When I entered the world of politics I made a decision to work for politics which would not divide people and countries, for politics to which no idea was worth more than a human life, and which would prevent the violations of the rights of any single person. The violation of his rights would be a violation of the rights of all. That remains my political tenet to this day.

We call Cleveland the Ljubljana of America. And it truly is so. I am truly proud and grateful that this honorary doctorate is conferred on me by the university of a city where so many of our fellow Slovenians live and helped create the soul of the city.

I share my joy with those of you, who have successfully completed your studies today. My sincere congratulations. I wish you all the best in your lives.

Thank you for your attention.

CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CLASS OF TWO THOUSAND ONE May 13, 2001 Honorary Doctor of Public Administration Degree Milan Kucan is the first democratically elected president of Slovenia. Under his leadership, the country made a successful break from a republic within communist Yugoslavia to an independent democracy in 1991. Today, Western powers praise Slovenija as an island of stability in Central Europe. The country is a candidate for admission to NATO and the European Union. Slovenes voted Mr. Kucan their most important countryman of the 20th century. A law graduate of the University of Ljubljana, he began his political career in 1964. The offices he has held include president of the Assembly of Slovenia, representative of Slovenia in the Yugoslav Federation, and president of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Slovenia. In the letter post, his reformist views and commitment to respecting political freedom and human rights put him in conflict with the Yugoslav communist party. His dramatic walkout at the 1990 party congress in Belgrade sounded the death knell of the communist party and the first call for the independence of Slovenia. Mr. Kucan initiated reforms that paved Slovenia's way to democracy and nationhood. He promoted a multi-party system, a free-market economy, and independent judiciary and law-abiding police. He was elected president of Slovenia in the first multi-party elections in 1990 and was reelected with majority votes in 1992 and 1997. For his role in promoting peace and stability in Central Europe, he has been honored by Pope John Paul II, three nations, and many organisations. He serves on the board of the Shimon Peres Institute for Peace.

Photo: BOBO


Photo: BOBO


Photo: BOBO