WEBVTT
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Thank you. I invite Prime Minister
Janez Janša to take the stage.
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Mr. President, ministers,
loved ones of the fallen,
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those injured when defending
Slovenia, and other guests.
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In the 30 years after Slovenia's
War of Independence,
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we've met many times.
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However, not all of our
meetings were the same
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because the times in which
we remembered those events
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and victims were different.
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We're always marked
mostly by the present,
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but we're celebrating the 30th
anniversary this year,
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the anniversary of
Slovenia's statehood
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and its successful
defense.
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Both the independence
and the defensive war
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are a part of the value system
of the Slovenian people
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and Slovenia's citizenry
in general.
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Hopefully, we'll never again
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need to stand on our
two feet
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and then be forced
to defend ourselves.
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When we remember these events,
we often hear
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that it wasn't a real war
or that it was a short war.
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This wasn't an operetta war,
as some people like to repeat.
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It's important to note
that for those who win in war,
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and defend their highest values,
the success is greatest
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when the war is as brief
as possible.
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The success of a war is not
measured in the number of victims
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or its length. It's measured
by how few victims there are
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and how quickly the suffering
is ended.
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By these objective criteria,
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Slovenia was successful,
but it's important
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to see the flip side of the story,
which is how you see the war.
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For someone who lost a father,
was seriously wounded,
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or had his life change completely
by becoming completely disabled,
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such as Ivan Starina, whom we
remembered this summer,
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the sacrifice was absolute.
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A sacrifice like that can never
be forgotten by a decent nation.
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I'm happy that as we celebrate
our 30th anniversary,
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we've finally rounded out
the legislation
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that defines your status
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and the status of those
in the same situations.
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It took 30 years,
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and thankfully, we managed enough
unity on the 30th anniversary
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to pass the legislation
in October.
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The government wanted to do it
earlier, on Statehood Day,
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but there was a delay,
as is usual for such procedures.
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But the legislation
is now on the books.
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As I was walking in,
the Defense Minister informed me
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that the entire corps will be
operative by January.
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This means that everything
is ready
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for the direct
issuing of orders,
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which will be realized
as quickly as possible next year.
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We apologize for the delay,
but not everything
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is in the government’s hands.
An apology should come
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from everyone who spent
the past 30 years
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in the legislative and executive
branches. Things took so long
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despite some efforts
to get things in order.
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Still, with this act we join
the company of civilized nations
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who have never forgotten
the victims who gave everything
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so people could live in freedom
and their own countries.
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I can assure you that
this government,
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despite the current
problems and responsibilities
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that we need to deal with,
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will not forget this.
2021 saw many events
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devoted to the 30th anniversary,
and both you and the ones you lost
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were in our thoughts, memories,
and prayers.
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Today, we also remember
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the most most fateful
decision in Slovenian history,
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the plebiscite for independence.
This was the only proven instance
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when we were the masters
of our own destiny.
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It was a grand destiny,
a result of our bravery
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and unity. And we were able
to realize and defend that destiny
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when it was threatened.
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More than anyone, you can
look back at those days with pride.
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That's why I congratulate you on
the Day of Independence and Unity.
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I wish you a merry and blessed
Christmas,
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and plenty of health and courage
in the New Year. Thank you.
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Thank you to the Prime Minister.
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Let's listen again to the Quintet
of the Slovenian Armed Forces,
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whose members will perform
Aleksander Mežek's Gray Road.
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Thank you. I invite Ms. Jasmina
Molan, the daughter of a fallen
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Territorial Defense soldier,
to take the stage.
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President Pahor,
Prime Minister Janša,
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President of the Disabled Veterans
of 1991 Association Koprčina,
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and all other guests.
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Slovenia's 30th anniversary year
is coming to a close.
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Unfortunately, the year was marked
more by the epidemic
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than by events that commemorated
the anniversary
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of Slovenia's statehood.
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That statehood was won in battle,
but sadly came with fatalities
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and injuries among those who
stood up to the Yugoslav Army.
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To the loved ones of the fallen
and the injured, this year is
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extremely important. With your
help, Mr. Prime Minister,
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with the help of your ministers,
and many MPs,
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numerous changes of the law,
which the '91 Association had long
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advocated, were passed
during your term in office.
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After 30 years, the children
of the fallen will now receive
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compensation, as will the wives
and parents of the fallen.
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The change in legislation will
grant disabled status
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to those who failed
to apply for it in time.
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Today's reception also makes us
happy that we can personally
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thank you, Mr. President
and Mr. Prime Minister,
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for these changes, which enable
us proud and decent lives
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and remind us that the state
hasn't forgotten the fallen,
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who live on in our hearts and
in the conscience of Slovenians.
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The Disabled Veterans of 1991
Association and the loved ones
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of the fallen are looking forward
to commemorative medals
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to mark Slovenia's 30th
anniversary, which we
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trust will be given as soon
as our association can
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coordinate this with the
Administrative Office
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for Military Heritage.
As 2021 comes to a close,
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we can conclude that, despite
all the Covid measures, the year
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was a success for Slovenia,
which is ending its EU presidency,
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and for the exceptional athletes,
who place us alongside
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the biggest countries and who win
competitions and give us a chance
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to listen to our anthem
with pride.
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On the occasion of the Independence
and Unity Day, I wish all of us
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more unity, peace for Christmas,
and may 2022 bring us new
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hope and successes, as well
as health and happiness
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to those of us who live in
and shape our Slovenia.
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Thank you to Ms. Jasmina Molan.
Once again, here's the Quintet
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of the Armed Forces with the song
Slovenia, Whence Thy Beauty?
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by Slavko Avsenik.