(PHOTO GALLERY) Janez Janša: “Slovenian independence cannot be undone. It is written in blood. It is written in our identity.”

By: M. B.

The Association for the Values of Slovenian Independence Logatec organised the 11^th memorial hike to Cesarski Vrh and a commemorative holy mass on Saturday, July 13^th. The mass, in memory of soldiers Miroslav Moljk and Anton Žakelj who died during the Slovenian War of Independence, was officiated by Msgr. Dr Jože Plut. The keynote speaker was Janez Janša, the Minister of Defence during the Slovenian independence process and the president of SDS.

The hike began early in the morning from three directions: Vrhnika, Rovt, and Gornji Logatec. The holy mass, led by Dr Plut, started at 10 am. Dr Plut emphasised the love for the homeland, the joy, and pride that 33 years ago, Slovenia achieved independence, and today we must ensure the successful development of the Slovenian nation and maintain our joy for life.

Jože Leskovec, president of VSO Logatec, greeted the gathered attendees on behalf of the organiser, recalling the pivotal events of that time. This was followed by an interesting patriotic cultural programme featuring poet Igor Pirkovič. The memorial ceremony honoured territorial soldiers Miroslav Moljk and Anton Žakelj, who tragically died at Cesarski Vrh at the end of the Slovenian War of Independence.

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Independence is a magnificent achievement

In his speech, Janez Janša stressed that there are just over two million Slovenians worldwide. Despite being few in number, Slovenians can be proud of what we have achieved. Many nations have lived on our planet over the past millennia and centuries, and many of them were more numerous than us Slovenians, but they are practically gone today. They are not even on the list of United Nations member states. This means that there is something in us Slovenians that has helped us endure for centuries and survive even the difficult periods of history, so that 33 years ago, we finally achieved what we so strongly desired: an independent and sovereign state, the Republic of Slovenia.

“The nation actually wrote its own judgment”

Janez Janša: “The time of independence was when the Slovenian nation truly wrote its own destiny. This Cankar’s phrase was often misused during the life in the former state. /…/ There was never a time like the time of the Slovenian Spring, the plebiscite for an independent Slovenia, the war for an independent Slovenia, the victory in that war, and international recognition, as it happened in that concentrated period a little over three decades ago. Therefore, this is a sacred time for Slovenians. It is a value centre of our nation that can inspire this and all future generations.” And this value centre cannot be taken away from us by anyone.

Janša emphasised that the ruling authorities might abolish the Museum of Slovenian Independence. “But Slovenian independence cannot be abolished. It is written in blood. It is written in our identity. In the generation that lived through that time. In the generation that created that time, it is part of our identity, part of our soul, and it lives on.” That is why today, even those who never considered Slovenian independence an “intimate option” attend numerous events commemorating the anniversary of Slovenian independence.

YPA doctrine “physical destruction of the enemy”

Janša also touched upon the current remembrance of the events in Srebrenica. He argued that this crime occurred because the YPA had a doctrine that called for the physical destruction of the enemy. This doctrine was in the minds of Serbian commanders, led by Ratko Mladić, in Srebrenica in 1995: the need to physically destroy the enemy. Similarly, Russian commanders and the Russian army in Ukraine have this doctrine. In contrast, Janša pointed out that the doctrine of NATO, and by extension the Slovenian Army, is completely different – focused on defence against military attack. The doctrine of the Slovenian Army is about defending the homeland.

Janez Janša: Why did the genocide in Srebrenica happen, and why did they try to do something similar to us? The answer is expressed in a statement made by a Bosnian miner who helped exhume victims of communist violence in Huda Jama. He said: “In Srebrenica, my brother was killed by the political successors of those who previously killed in Huda Jama.” And that is true, emphasised Janša. We add that, unfortunately, their political (ideological) successors still rule today.

Janša added: “There is no stain on Slovenian independence. No commander of the Slovenian Territorial Defence ended up in The Hague, at the international court that dealt with war crimes in the former Yugoslavia, and there is no accusation against them. /…/ Slovenian independence is something pure and sacred, something worth remembering and preserving for future generations.”

He also reminded the audience that some claim there are multiple truths: “There are not multiple truths, as some say. The Berlin Wall did not fall on both sides, as these same people claim. There is only one truth. We can have different opinions, which is natural in a democracy. But something either happened or it did not. In the world, unfortunately, there is good and evil, and it is very important that we know how to distinguish between them. /…/ To know what is right and what is not right. And Slovenian independence 100 percent falls on the side of what is right.”

At the end of his speech, Janša thanked all those who gave their lives for an independent Slovenia and all those who answered the call of the homeland over three decades ago, contributing in one way or another to the fact that the Republic of Slovenia is today a sovereign and independent country.

The well-attended commemorative ceremony included relatives of those who died in the war for Slovenia, some members of parliament (Alenka Jeraj and Zoran Mojškerc from SDS), representatives of the municipalities of Logatec and Vrhnika, prominent members of the Association for the Values of Slovenian Independence led by Slavko Kmetič, President of the Assembly for the Republic France Cukjati, and many others who hold Slovenia and love for the homeland in their hearts.