Developing and raising awareness of the core values and the most important events of contemporary Slovenian history is especially important in times of crisis. We must not forget that bold decisions, such as the adoption of the independence act in 1991 on the basis of the plebiscite of 1990, the formation of our own army, the declaration of independence on 25 June 1991, the victory in the war for Slovenia and the withdrawal of the Yugoslav national army on 25 October 1991, have preserved the existence of the Slovenian state. Such achievements cannot be taken for granted.

In accordance with the obligations arising from the plebiscite act, the Slovenian government sent to the assembly a package of proposed independence bills, with which Slovenia wanted to assume more powers of the federation and solidify the main areas of its statehood.

Slovenia is paving two paths: an external one toward state independence and autonomy, and an internal one toward economic recovery and democracy. Both are very demanding, the second even more than the first, according to Naša luč, a monthly journal for Slovenians around the world.

On 1 March 1991, the Constitutional Commission of the Slovenian Assembly supported a proposal for the military training of Slovenian conscripts in the Slovenian Territorial Defence and the police. But support was not unanimous.

With an act proposal, the government enabled a gradual transition to a new defence system and ensured the protection of Slovenian sovereignty. Ministers Rupel, Mencinger, Stanič and Puhar explained the decisions and presented assessments of the current situation in the country. The resignation of the rector of the University of Maribor, Dr Alojz Križman, and a view on the introduction of religious instruction in schools presented by the chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission, Dr Anton Stres, attracted much public attention.

Wednesday, 27 February 1991, was a lively day. On the world stage, the cessation of the fighting in the Iraqi Gulf resonated the most, while the main "star" in Slovenia was the denationalisation act proposal.

On this day, various attempts to peacefully resolve the Yugoslav conflict and maintain a loose Yugoslav federation were made. Some Slovenian politicians warned of international isolation upon separation from Yugoslavia and hampered the remedy of some past injustices. The Slovenian national minority in Austria aimed for Slovenia's international recognition.

The main topics at the consultation session of the delegate club of the Party of Democratic Reform were the resolution on dissolution and a new Slovenian flag without the red star. Former owners of the property expropriated after the Second World War were concerned about the restriction of ownership rights.

The results of Delo Stik’s telephone survey of 731 randomly selected telephone subscribers were presented on Friday, 15 February 1991. More than half of the respondents replied that Slovenia should speed up the independence process and become independent before the official expiry of the six-month deadline set at the plebiscite.

The developments in Yugoslavia on Sunday, 27 January, were primarily marked by the consequences of the decisions reached at the Friday and Saturday sessions of the Presidency of the SFRY. This at least temporarily removed the threat of an armed conflict starting in Yugoslavia. In addition, Kiro Gligorov became the first democratically elected president of Macedonia on that day. In the international arena, public attention around the globe continued to be focused primarily on the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.

On 20 January 1991, Slovenian Defence Minister Janez Janša and Igor Bavčar, Minister of the Interior, met their Croatian counterparts, Martin Špegelj and Josip Boljkovac, in Zagreb to conclude a mutual defence assistance agreement.

It had been ten days since 9 January 1991, when the Yugoslav Presidency adopted the order regarding the disarmament and disbandment of all armed units that were not part of the armed forces of the Yugoslav People's Army. A deadline of ten days was specified for the surrender of weapons.

On Friday, 18 January 1991, international political developments were marked by the escalation of the war in the Gulf that had started several days previously. A surprise Iraqi attack on Israel triggered fears that the conflict would turn into a "holy war".

As elsewhere in the world, the outbreak of the Gulf War was the main topic in Slovenia on 17 January 1991. The war began at 2:30 a.m. when the Americans, together with their allies, bombed Baghdad. The war, which was the result of the Iraqi invasion of neighbouring Kuwait, also triggered great fear and concern in Slovenia.

Slovenian industry in crisis

On Wednesday, 16 January 1991, the Slovenian Statistical Office presented the data on the situation in Slovenian industry. In 1990, Slovenian industrial production was down by as much as 10.5 per cent in comparison to 1989.

A proposal to issue the Military Service Act was discussed at the session of the Commission for Defence at the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia. The proposed Act introduced innovations made necessary due to changes in the political and defence systems: the duration of military service was shortened, conscientious objection to military service for religious, philosophical and moral reasons was recognised, and the obligations relating to reserve service were reduced.

14 January 1991 was greatly marked by the Soviet military intervention in Lithuania that had ended the day before. The prominent Soviets led by Mikhail Gorbachev had shied away from their responsibility for the bloodshed that killed 14 people, and which turned into a fiasco for the Soviets.

Over 90 deputies of DEMOS, government ministers and prominent representatives of the ruling coalition parties met in Poljče on the second weekend in January 1991. Behind closed doors, they discussed the new Slovenian Constitution arising from the plebiscite decision.