Prime Minister Janez Janša had a meeting with Mr George Voinovich, a US Senator of Slovenian descent. (Photo: BOBO).

 

In the continuation of his visit to Cleveland, the Prime Minister first of all had a meeting with Mr George Voinovich, a US Senator of Slovenian descent, and a “friend” as the Prime Minister called him, and Mayor Frank Jackson. Their talks confirmed that the City of Cleveland and the State of Ohio value the work of the Slovenian community here. Senator Voinovich called the Prime Minister a true fighter for freedom and recalled that his arrest in 1988 triggered a spark and democracy and freedom in Slovenia. He went on to add that in 2004, Prime Minister Janša formed a firm coalition and that Slovenia’s success was increasing. The Senator also stressed the importance of Slovenia becoming a member of NATO. In his view it is important that Slovenia will assume the EU Presidency in 2008 as the first new EU Member State to do so.

 

At the subsequent press conference Prime Minister Janša said he appreciated the contribution and assistance provided by the State of Ohio and the City of Cleveland in Slovenia’s independence efforts. He said this was his first visit to that part of the US and that he was looking forward to his meeting with American Slovenes who, in his words, had made the key contribution to the US recognition of Slovenia’s independence.

 

The Prime Minister attended a reception for representatives of Slovene institutions and Slovene dignitaries in Cleveland (Photo: BOBO).

 

After the press conference at the Town Hall of Cleveland, the Prime Minister had a meeting with representatives of Slovenian institutions in the Slovenian National Home, followed by a visit to Slovenska Pristava in the vicinity of Cleveland, and the journey to Pennsylvania where the Prime Minister and his delegation attended the traditional Slovenefest in the Slovenska Narodna Podporna Jednota  (SNPJ) in Enon Valley. There the Prime Minister met with SNPJ National President Joseph Evanish and President of the American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ) Rudi Krašovec and then visited the Heritage Center. Prime Minister Janša gave representatives of the center a special award for its 30th anniversary.

 

Prime Minister Janša attended Slovenefest celebrations and met with American Slovenes (Photo: BOBO).

 

Mr Janša addressed around one thousand American Slovenes gathered at the celebration and thanked them for their support and assistance during Slovenia’s independence efforts and its membership in NATO. “Being a Member State of the EU, Slovenia is part of the globally most successful peace project, which it is going to head in the first half of 2008,” said the Prime Minister. He also mentioned Slovenia’s achievements in culture, sports, science and technology, especially Slovene knowledge even being part of NASA. In Mr Janša’s words, Slovenia is doing well now and therefore self-confident and in a position to set itself higher objectives. “It is our wish to become one of the most successful countries in the world,” said Mr Janša. At the end he recalled that 15 years ago Slovenes were united as they had never been before and therefore attained so much. In his words, the time has come to forget old grudges and undertake joint work, because a united Slovenia is stronger.

 

The Prime Minister and his delegation then left for Washington; there they will visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and on Sunday Prime Minister Janša will lay a wreath and sign the Guest Book. In the evening, a dinner will be hosted by the Prime Minister to honour American Slovenes who have been particularly successful in American society.

 

Address of the Prime Minister at the Slovenian National home

 

Address of the Prime Minister in Enon Valley