The Triumphant Year of 1991

Raising and strengthening awareness of the fundamental values and the most important events in recent Slovenian history is of particular importance at times of crisis.

Brave decisions such as the adoption of independence legislation in 1991 based on the results of the plebiscite in 1990, the establishment of Slovenia's own armed forces, the declaration of independence on 25 June 1991, the victory in the war for Slovenia, and the withdrawal of the Yugoslav Army on 25 October 1991 have all enabled the survival of the Slovenian state. These achievements should not be taken for granted.

Strengthening civil society in the 1980s

Against a backdrop of milestone events in Europe and the world, symbolically marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall, civil society in Slovenia strengthened, despite ever more challenging circumstances in the 1980s. In 1987, the 57th issue of Nova revija was published, including contributions by Slovenian intellectuals to the Slovenian National Programme.

When in 1988 Janez Janša, Ivan Borštner, David Tasić and Franci Zavrl were accused of betraying military secrets and tried in a foreign language before a military court in Ljubljana, Slovenia woke up. The Committee for the Protection of Human Rights was established, headed by Igor Bavčar. Protests, rallies and demonstrations followed.

The demand for an independent state

At an assembly in Ljubljana in May 1989, new political organisations published the May Declaration, which demanded a sovereign Slovenian state and the Slovenians' freedom to decide on external integration.

The Democratic Opposition of Slovenia (Demos) was established in 1989. Under the leadership of Dr Jože Pučnik, Demos won the first multi-party election in April 1990 and formed a new Slovenian government. Lojze Peterle became the Prime Minister, Dr Dimitrij Rupel the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Janez Janša the Minister of Defence, and Igor Bavčar the Minister of the Interior. France Bučar was elected President of the Slovenian National Assembly and Milan Kučan was elected President of the Presidency.

Preparations for independence

Demos played a crucial role in forming a general consensus on the need for the independence of the Slovenian nation, which was reflected in an extraordinary high turnout and the overwhelming majority vote in the plebiscite held on 23 December 1990. Demos also played the main role in the nation's independence, defending its independence in the war for Slovenia and achieving the international recognition of Slovenia.

The path to an independent Slovenian state was difficult and risky because the opponents obstructed the implementation of the plebiscite decision with all their might. Jože Pučnik and Ivan Oman declared the handing over of Slovenian weapons to the Yugoslav Army without the knowledge of the newly elected Demos government as high treason.

For the defence of Slovenia and to protect the processes of independence, a military structure was established, known as the Manoeuvre Structure of National Protection. With decisive action, it managed to secure Slovenian weapons and was the first to decisively support the democratic efforts.

The declaration of independence

The Declaration on the Independence of Slovenia and the Basic Constitutional Charter on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia were adopted by the Slovenian National Assembly on 25 June 1991 and were solemnly declared on 26 June. In the hours that followed, the newly formed state was subjected to armed aggression. Units of the Yugoslav People's Army began to move towards the Slovenian border.

Individuals, members of armed forces and civil defence, set up barricades to block their path. The Yugoslav People's Army used firearms in the fighting near Vrhpolje.. In the morning of 27 June, armoured units left Croatia to move towards Slovenia's borders with Italy and Austria; armoured units also left Vrhnika and headed towards Brnik Airport. The plan was to occupy important positions, block the border, defeat and remove the Territorial Defence and establish a puppet regime.

The war for Slovenia

Fighting took place in Poganci, Trzin, Šentilj, Ormož, Medvedjek and other locations. Slovenian as well as other soldiers were deserting the Yugoslav Army in great numbers. The Yugoslav Army did not expect armed resistance from Slovenians. On 28 June Slovenia took the initiative and began actively defending its territory, and the Yugoslav Army responded with the use of air forces at Brnik Airport and near Trebnje. Direct fighting for border crossings started in Rožna dolina, Holmec and elsewhere.

On 29 June the Yugoslav Army persisted despite initiatives to end the fighting. On 30 June air raid alarms sounded and people were evacuated to shelters. The Territorial Defence recruited additional members. The Yugoslav Army also recruited new members to join its units. During the visit of Yugoslav Prime Minister Marković to Ljubljana, Slovenia demanded an end to the fighting and the return to barracks of the Yugoslav People's Army units, while the other side insisted on the release of prisoners and the lifting of blockades on barracks.

Military action continued and intensified. On 2 July Yugoslav military planes attacked all major radio and television transmitters and converters at Nanos, Krvavec, Kum, Boč and Pohorje. Near Krakovski gozd, the Territorial Defence and police units attacked an armoured column of the Yugoslav People's Army, which surrendered completely. On 3 July the fighting continued. The Yugoslav People's Army was defeated in Krakovski gozd; border crossings and guardhouses in the Gorenjska and Štajerska regions fell into Slovenian hands. On 4 July parents of soldiers who served in the Yugoslav People's Army came to Slovenia and demanded that their sons return. The Yugoslav People's Army exacerbated the critical situation. On 6 July the situation was still extremely tense.

End of fighting

7 July was the last day of intense military fighting in the territory of Slovenia. Representatives of Slovenia, Croatia and federal authorities met on the Brijuni Islands at the initiative of the European Community. A postponement of the resumption of independence processes was demanded in exchange for a truce. On 10 July the Slovenian Assembly supported the Brioni Declaration despite reservations. The defeated Yugoslav People's Army withdrew from Slovenia within three months. On 25 October the last ferry with Yugoslav People's Army soldiers sailed from the port of Koper. Slovenia consolidated its sovereignty.

The victory in the war for Slovenia was glorious. We were able to unite, thus enabling the mobilisation of available resources. Morale among soldiers and police officers was high, and other subordinate systems were included in the defence efforts to provide logistical support to the armed forces. The resistance was excellently led, there was a clear line of command and control, which ensured the effectiveness of the Slovenian armed forces and the police and prevented possible violations of international law of armed conflict.

Adoption of the Constitution

At the beginning of the war, the founding assembly of the Slovenian World Congress took place in Ljubljana, which was attended by compatriots from almost all over the world. Their comprehensive support and efforts in informing the world public have significantly contributed to Slovenians winning the favour of the international community in the fight against the aggressor Yugoslav Army. This is one of the reasons why foreign countries and important international political and financial institutions quickly recognised the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Slovenia. The early announcement of recognition by Germany (19 December) is extremely important for the process of international recognition.

The victorious year of 1991 ended with the adoption of a new Slovenian Constitution on 23 December. The Republic of Slovenia became an independent and sovereign state with a modern democratic constitutional order.

Dr Andreja Valič Zver