Slovenia Part of Diplomats in School On the occasion of Europe Day, diplomats from embassies of European Union member states have been visiting high schools in the Washington area and giving lectures about the EU. On May 25, our Deputy Chief of Mission, Ondina Blokar Drobič, gave a lecture at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

She acquainted the students with the fundamentals ofthe EU; how and why the EU was established, about the first member states, about the principles and values on which the EU is founded, the organization and functioning of the union, the Schengen system, Euro currency and on transatlantic political and economic ties. She explained the accession process and Slovenia’s way to become a member in 2004 As she said: “We have to remember the key role that the United States have played in rebuilding Europe after the WWII and supporting the European integration and unity, and the valuable transatlantic partnership that Europeans share with the United States.” Students asked numerous questions related to the economic and financial crisis, migration and have shown a lot of curiosity about Slovenia as well.

FIRST PAGE STORY

Embassy of Slovenia2410 California Street, NWWashington, D.C. 20008, USAT: +1202 386 66 01www.washington.embassy.si

EMBASSYNEWSLETTER

May 27, 2011

•  SlOvEnIA PART OF DIPlOmATS In SchOOl

•  SlOvEnIAn DIPlOmAcY DAY

•  vISIT FROm SlOvEnIAn WAR cOllEGE

•  EU SETS nEW POlIcY

•  PERSOnAl STORY

•  AnnOUncEmEnTS

•  lIST TO DO

DCM Ondina lecturing.

May 27, 20112

On May 22, 1992, less than a year after it declared its independence, Slovenia became a member of the United Nations Organization, and since 2004 this day has been known as the Slovenian Diplomacy Day.

We have achieved a lot in these 19 years. Since becoming a member, Slovenia has been actively involved in all the UN activities to restore and keep peace and security around the world. Slovenian military has been taking part in peace-keeping operations under the mandate of the UN (right now it is present in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Lebanon). It has achieved some remarkable goals: in 2004 it has become a member of NATO and the EU and a year later it chaired the biggest regional organization – Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In the first half of 2008, it was the first among the new member states to hold the Presidency of the EU. In 2009, it headed the Council of Europe, the oldest organization in Europe, whose primary role is protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In foreign policy, Slovenia pays special attention to human security, to protection of human rights and human dignity, especially protection of women and children during armed conflict; it wishes to promote the

dialogue on climate change, so that we can protect and preserve our planet. It devotes a lot of attention to the implementation of and respect for international law, including the International Criminal Court, whose role is to prosecute and try those responsible for the gravest international crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. As a part of care for the victims of war in the Slovenian neighborhood, it has established the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) by raising funds, providing services and managing mine action projects. Since its inception, the ITF has focused its fundraising activities and support to humanitarian mine action in southeast Europe and beyond. It has also started other projects such as cluster munitions clearance, and has so far raised over $337 million, the latest donation being that of Germany of over $600,000. Almost ten years ago, Slovenia has changed its status from a recipient to a donor country and has formed its own policy of development cooperation where it provides development assistance alone and through the European Union.

This year, Slovenia has decided to run once again for the nonpermanent membership in the UN Security Council at the elections to be held in the fall of this year.

Slovenian Diplomacy DayPOLITICS

May 27, 20113

EU Sets New PolicyEU NEwS

The European Union launched a new policy proposal for its relations with neighboring countries in Eastern Europe and the countries of the Southern Mediterranean. The new policy seeks to strengthen individual and regional relationships between the EU and countries in its neighborhood

through a ‘more funds for more reform’ approach -- making more additional funds available, but with more mutual accountability.

Read more about the new policy at: http://eurunion.org/emailcampaigns/

Visit from Slovenian War CollegePOLITICS

On May 23, Slovenian War College students visited the embassy as a part of their working visit to the United States. They were greeted by Ambassador Kirn, who talked about the importance of international relations and diplomacy, especially in time of turmoils we face nowadays. The ambassador stressed the importance of the military, civilian-military relations and the role of a military attaché in a diplomatic mission. After his speech, the floor was opened for questions and a reception followed.

It decided to announce its candidature because it can and wants to contribute to the preservation of peace and security and because it is in favor of an active and engaged multilateralism and the reform of the organization. This year, Slovenia is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its independence, and

there is no doubt as to the role of Slovenian diplomacy and foreign policy in getting where Slovenia is today – a vibrant, democratic, open European country, ready to contribute to the efforts of international community to keep or restore peace around the world and to the improvement of people’s lives.

Students with Ambassador Kirn and Colonel Graber.

May 27, 20114

Experience of Slovenian Independence

PErSONaL STOry

Dear readers: in previous Newsletters, we invited you to send us short (not more than 350 words) reminiscences about how you experienced, wherever you were, the Slovenian declaration of independence and the process of gaining Slovenian statehood.

We still encourage you to send us your contributions to: vwa@gov.si, with the subject title My experience of Slovenian independence. In this Embassy Newsletter Edition you are invited to read personal story of experience of Slovenian Independence by Kenneth Zapp.

Dr. Marko Simoneti, Director of the Slovene Privatization Agency, appointed me advisor to the agency and coordinator of its business valuation seminars. I led training sessions in

October 1990 and January 1991. In June, I returned to Ljubljana with my daughter Tara and then wife.

The night of independence reminded me of the celebrations when the Minnesota Twins won the World Series: everyone hugged and loved each other regardless of their differences.

The next day was surreal: while models in bras and panties danced in a window of a new shop selling negligees in the old town, Yugoslav planes flew so low that we could read their

numbers.Staying in the Hotel Union, we saw the crash of the Yugoslav helicopter shot down over the

city. Sadly, the pilots, flying bread to a camp, were Slovene. Each day tensions rose; people listening to the radio were extremely alarmed, not realizing that reports were repeated. One night the owner of a gostilna across the river yelled that the Serbs were coming and sent us

to the hotel.Sunday morning we were taken to the parking garage of the Holiday Inn. That afternoon,

however, a cease fire was established. Jurij Kleindienst drove through the barricades protecting Ljubljana and took us to Idrija where I had appointments with two firms. A loud blast awoke us. Later we learned that a Yugoslav soldier exploded a JNA ammunition depot

near Črni Vrh. Jurij’s wikendica was badly damaged.The worst moment came that Tuesday. Yugoslav tanks left Beograd for Ljubljana.

Feeling responsible for my family I asked Kolektor’s Director, Peter Rupnik, for help. He recommended that we stay the night in Idrija and then decide what to do in the morning. It would take the tanks 44 hours to reach Slovenia. The next day the European Union, with

help from Dr. Janez Drnovšek, arranged a truce. I was able to complete my work. Had we left we would not have gotten back into Slovenia.

I am proud to have played a small role in the economic success of Slovenia. I later served as Honorary Consul for Slovenia in Minnesota for five years and taught many summers at the

University of Ljubljana.

Kenneth Zapp, PhD Professor Emeritus Metropolitan State University

May 27, 20115

Legislative Referendums

aNNOUNCEmENTS

The National Assembly of Slovenia has called three legislative referendums: on the Protection of Documents and Archives and Archival Institutions Act, on the Prevention of Illegal Work and Employment Act, and on the Pension and Disability Insurance Act. The referendums will take place on June 5, 2011, from 9 am till 5 pm at the U.S. representations of Slovenia in Cleveland, New York and Washington D.C.

Slovenian citizens with registered residence in the United States can vote in person at the above listed representations or

by mail, provided they were registered with the National Voting Commission as of May 21, 2011.

Slovenian citizens with registered residence in Slovenia and visiting or temporarily residing in the United States can vote in person at the listed representations or by mail. In either case, such voters had to have registered with the National Voting Commission by May 21, 2011.

More information about the referendums can be found at the National Voting Commission’s Web page:www.dvk.gov.si

Talking TomaNNOUNCEmENTS

Slovenian Andrej Nabergoj, CEO of Outfit7 of New York City, the company that makes talking-character apps, spent last year turning a $60 cat into a millionaire. Nabergoj went to find a mascot for Outfit7 and eventually found a male feral cat, bought it for $60, named it Talking Tom, and handed it over to Outfit7’s developers. They created a set number of animations, coded the voice talkback, and published the app in July 2010. Within the first 13 days, one million people downloaded the free app. It was so successful Nabergoj went on a hunt to find the anonymous designer who created the cat model. After almost two months of searching, Nabergoj found his man, Andrey Kravchenko, in Ukraine. Nabergoj brought Kravchenko into the company.

Now, 10 months after its debut, there are more than 55 million copies of Talking Tom scattered across the world. Over the next few months, the Outfit7 characters will perhaps wander their way into a short, scripted web video.

Talking Tom.

May 27, 20116

The weekly Embassy Newsletter, produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington., is available on: www.washington.embassy.si.

Send us your comments or request for a subscription on: vwa@gov.si, Editors: Maša Šiftar de Arzu, Neja Brglez

List To Do

LIST OF EVENTS

3. Welcome Home 2011For the 20th Anniversary of Slovenia’s Independence, various events will take place both in Slovenia and around the world. One of the biggest events will be the WELCOME HOME event, a Slovenian get-together, which will be held in Ljubljana.Because this year Slovenia wants to be particularly generous to all who are connected with it in any way, special discounts for Slovenes around the world and their friends are offered at www.slovenia.info/homecoming. Don’t miss the Book&Buy offers of the HomeComing project, which are available all year round. You can also search for information about your visit and test your knowledge about Slovenia in an interactive quiz. Check. Visit. Tell your friends. This year, you have even more reasons to do so. When: July 1, 2011Where: Ljubljana, Slovenia More info: www.slovenia.info/homecoming.Detailed information regarding Welcome Home event is available on: http://www.slovenia.info/homecoming.

2. Wine Tour in SloveniaThe tour leaders from Knoxville, Lydia Pulsipher, Professor of Geography, author, and Honorary Consul for the Republic of Slovenia, and her husband, Mac Goodwin, archaeologist, author, and a lover of Slovene wines for over 18 years are organizing a Slovenian Wine Tour. Together with friends of Slovenia they will visit several vineyards and winemakersWhen: October 16 through October 28, 2011 More info: http://web.me.com/macgoodwin/Wine_Tour_in_Slovenia/Slovenia_Wine_Tour.htmlor contact: macgoodwin@me.com

1. Slovenia in USPhotographer and film producer Alenka Slavinec’s exhibition SLOVENIA IN US is a story of love, peace and courage, the main characters of which are the world - renowned Lipizzaner horses, who are deeply interlinked with Slovenian identity and cultural heritage. Each of the 20 exhibited photos represents one year of Slovenian existence as an independent country, from its declaration of independence in 1991 to the present.When: Ongoing- June 10, 2011Where: Embassy of Slovenia, 2410 California St., NW , Washington, DC 20008 More info: (202) 386-6601