By: Sara Bertoncelj / Nova24tv
A commemoration of the first victims of the YPA aggression in 1991 took place in Maribor last week. First, a wreath of glory was laid at the memorial on the front of the former barracks on Ljubljanska street, and then a wreath was laid at the memorial on the site of the former Vičava Ptuj barracks. A memorial ceremony was also held at both locations, with speeches by Stan Kodba, Anton Kranjc, Franc Kangler, Franc Breznik, and Lojze Peterle. The artistic word was provided by the poet Tone Kuntner.
A commemoration of the first victims of the YPA aggression in 1991 was held in Maribor today. The participants were greeted by the President of VSO Maribor Stane Kodba, who emphasised that today’s commemoration is a guarantee that the memory of the events of 1991 is preserved. VSO President Lojze Peterle and VSO presidency member Franc Breznik from the SDS party laid a wreath of glory at the memorial. Franc Kangler, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, said: “Some of us fought for freedom in 1991, and some are taking away this freedom today to bring Slovenia back before 1991.” Kangler also pointed out that even 31 years after independence, he does not know of a case in Slovenia where someone is responsible for war crimes.
Member of the presidency Franc Breznik from the SDS party emphasised that we had achieved true freedom with the first democratic elections and the first government led by Lojze Peterle. The latter reminded that a nation has a future if it has a clear memory. “The first fatality meant not only death, but also Slovene life, Slovene direction and Slovene future,” he emphasised.