PHOTO: Arsen Perić/Salomon 2000

 

Prime Minister Janez Janša said that each war had its decisive battles and episodes, forming part of broader developments, but later always remembered as decisive for the victory or final outcome.

 

"The battle for Holmec was one of the most important single battles of the War for Slovenia not only because of the significance of the border crossing nor the bravery demonstrated here, but also because of the message that it conveyed to the Slovene public at a time when it was being so severely tested. When the news broke out that in Koroška you had freed the Holmec border crossing, it was the greatest single piece of good news for us and for all of Slovenia that day. The news echoed through the units of the Territorial Defence and the Police and encouraged those for whom this was still awaiting," explained Prime Minister and went on to say it was perfectly appropriate that the first impulse for 27 June to become Slovene Police Day came from the Koroška region, from direct participants in the battle. Even though, together with others,  the Slovene Police played a decisive role before and during the War for Slovenia and in the protection of Slovenia's independence also elsewhere, the battle at Holmec was something special, according to the Prime Minister.

 

"In actual fact, the Police were the first real Slovene power to start protecting the aspirations of the Slovene nation for independence at a very early stage of democratic changes. If before the war police-security tasks were mainly involved, during the War for Slovenia the Police also filled a role not entrusted to the Police of other countries," added Prime Minister.