The Battle for Slovenia [antikvár]

The History and Ethics of a Struggle w. te live in an age when political philosophy swears by human rights — it seems to us that there is no disagreement with that. The real problems arise when we realize that no respect is shown for the basic human rights of a particular nation. Consequently, its citizens feel disatisfied or even threatened. There are quite a few such nations in Europe and elsewhere around the world - among them are the Slovenes. lust after the events portrayed in this book senior Western diplomats asked me in admonitory tones: "Can we allow the collapse of everything we have built in Europe over the last thirty years because of the independence of a small state like Slovenia?" I responded with a counter-questipn: "Where is that limit - the number of inhabitants which a nation regards as sufficient to give it the right to control its own life? Where and when does its destiny depend on the will and interests of others?" Both questions remained unanswered. The entirely simple, unquestionable, and generally accepted principle about the right of nations to self-determination can lead to insoluble complications when a small nation aspires to such a principle according to its own free will and choice. We Slovenes are a small nation. For centuries we have not been seriously taken into consideration, but now when we demand our rights we have suddenly become (as has often been stated) a dangerous trigger for a broader European process with Slovenia being the example and catalyst for other Yugoslav republics and primarily the multi-national Soviet Union. The basic human rights of millions of people are currently being threatened. This commonly occurs when these people feel intimately connected to the fate of their nation, chiefly to their freedom, which depends on possibly unfavourable, but stable international relations. The political status quo in Europe suits some countries, but doesn't suit others. Is it possible to find a compromise solution between these two groups, to abolish the injustice in one while causing none to the other? We Slovenes believe that such a solution is possible, even unavoidable, also with regard to peace in Europe, something which is so close to our hearts - to Slovenes no less than to other peoples. Many blame us, either directly or between the lines, saying that our endeavours to achieve full independence are justifiable and legitimate, but this process is happening too late. They add that many national states were formed in the last century, the largest having come into existence before that time, and that this process has more or less finally been completed, at least within Europe after the First World War. 1991 should signify the continuing perfection of European integration. Are Slovenian aspirations going in the opposite direction and is that the reason why there is so much wavering in receiving international recognition for our independence? It concerns a misunderstanding which has created in the Slovenes more than just a feeling of discomfort when thinking about Europe, which wants to mould us to suit its rhythm and global policies. Let's touch the heart of the matter: the Slovenian decision to become independent - a national state - is the fruit of internal political maturity. It has been strengthened by the conviction that a new emerging Europe must pay more attention to all nations including the small and smallest, not only to those which have established their rights in the past and have preserved many additional rights in our time on account of weaker nations. Historical logic indeed! One should mention that the Slovenian concept of independence, about having our own national state, is not something new - it is as old as the first realization of the national aspirations of other peoples, especially those of neighbouring countries. It does not involve some historical delay or even some national romantic aspiration from the 19th century. The truth is very simple: till now it has been possible to achieve independence and become a national state only through the use of force. The ambition to conquer foreign territory was a feature of the policy of all the greatest nations. The philosophy about coexistence and mutual cooperation on equal terms is a relatively young philosophy. Therefore for the first time the opportunity was offered to the Slovenes to create their own independent state without fear of a powerful neighbour. Centuries old fear abated before our so-called natural enemies (Italians, Germans, Austrians and Hungarians). Entirely new relationships emerged S