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Meeting with the Strojan family and the locals in Ambrus

Ambrus, 12/23/2006  |  press release

Today, the President of the Republic Dr Janez Drnovšek visited the Strojan family that is currently in Ambrus. Since they are unwilling to return to the Postojna Centre for Foreigners despite the President's urging yesterday, Dr. Drnovšek decided to offer them to stay in trailers during the Christmas and New Year's holidays, so that primarily the children can be kept warm.

The inhabitants of the village of Ambrus prevented these trailers be brought to the location. The President of the Republic, Dr Janez Drnovšek, wished to make them understand that he is trying to help the children, to prevent them form freezing and getting ill. He invited the locals to try and find a joint solution. However, they persisted. They would not allow the trailers to be delivered. Instead, they asked the President to prevail upon the Strojans to return to Postojna. In response, the President said: »I did not come here to solve things with force. I told you, and made it public, that I have spoken with Mrs. Jelka Strojan yesterday in an attempt to have them go back to Postojna. I did not succeed. We therefore pledged to help so that they do not suffer freezing during holidays. I too believe it would be best for them to return to Postojna. I can try once more to persuade them to go to Postojna, which was my original intent. But Mrs Strojan was absolutely adamant yesterday. So, should they not go, I am asking you to help them through the holidays, especially the children who bear no fault in this. Should you not want to help, we will not insist on the trailers. I am merely asking you to help on humanitarian grounds, as people to people.«

The President then returned to the Strojans who once more declined going back to the Postojna Centre for Foreigners. The President furthermore urged them to accept the location offered them by the Government for their final settlement.