Janša calls independence core value of nation in televised interview

Ljubljana – Prime Minister Janez Janša has discussed the values of independence as well as what he called high treason in an interview with the commercial broadcaster Nova24TV, saying that while independence never divided the nation it did divide politics, which was divided by those for whom independent Slovenia was not an “intimate option”.

“If we didn’t break independent at the time, we would probably still be in Yugoslavia, or rather we wouldn’t be because it would have fallen apart for other reasons, it’s just that we’d likely pay a higher price,” Janša said.

Independence time from 30 years ago continues as the value core of the Slovenian nation, a time that does not divide the nation, Janša said.

An empirical proof of that value core is the result of the 1990 plebiscite “which showed the vote for the independent Slovenia was most likely also cast by many who are not Slovenians by blood, but they felt part of a community that was embarking on a new path, which makes this value core even stronger”.

“I believe it is very simple to build on that today a national unity among all those who mean well,” said the prime minister.

“As for those who place in the foreground a time that divided Slovenians, that caused them deep wounds that we’re still healing from, those definitely don’t wish us all well for the future. It’s mainly about defending privileges, stolen houses, paintings, works of art, positions, the fruits of nepotism.”

Janša said that while different views are allowed in democracy, “there is a historical truth, that is whether something happened or didn’t happen. If something has happened and some claim it hasn’t, it’s not a different view on the fact but it’s a lie. There is the limit and the truth must be fought for and a battle for democracy is in fact a battle for the truth.”

Janša also looked back on the inception in 1989 of the Slovenian Democratic Union and the Committee for the Protection of Human Rights.

If the latter had transformed into a political force and took part in the first multi-party election in 1990 as a united platform, political parties would have been founded later, he said.

“And that platform would definitely have won 90% in the election given the broad support. But the committee was then broken apart. As it would later transpire, based on various documents that have come to light, Kučan’s party sent its people to the committee,” said Janša, referring to Milan Kučan, Slovenia’s first president and former leader of the Slovenian Communist party.

Janša also talked about disarmament of the Slovenian Territorial Defence, which he said was carried out in consent between the then Communist authorities and the remnants of those authorities in new structures and the Yugoslav army and the authorities in Belgrade.

“It was the biggest, most drastic high treason in the history of the Slovenian nation, which could have had drastic consequences, consequences that had been planned. They disarmed us because they knew that if we could not defend ourselves we would not go independent,” said Janša.

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